Posted on February 15, 2026
Dare County is pleased to announce the release of a new interactive drone map developed by Dare County GIS that allows the public to view and compare images of coastal erosion that has occurred on Hatteras Island over time. Titled “Hatteras Island Erosion Drone Imagery,” the map provides side-by-side comparisons of drone imagery collected during ongoing flights of the villages of Rodanthe and Buxton conducted by Dare County GIS staff.
In response to recent erosion concerns in the villages of Buxton and Rodanthe, Dare County GIS is remotely monitoring two priority areas using drone technology: Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton and the northern end of Rodanthe. The purpose of this ongoing project is to collect continual imagery that creates a historical record of erosion, helping Dare County officials and other decision-makers better understand the changing conditions and enabling them to make the most informed decisions.
When utilizing the new map, users can select two different dates of drone imagery taken in Buxton or Rodanthe using a dropdown menu. A swipe tool in the center of the map allows users to then move back and forth to compare images side by side, making it easy to visually observe shoreline changes and erosion occurring over time.
“The situations in Buxton and Rodanthe are very dynamic, so we wanted to have the most up-to-date information available about the current state of the oceanfront,” stated Dare County GIS Analyst Kristen Stilson. “We also wanted the public to be able to see the changing conditions as they are occurring, so everyone can get a better understanding of how rapidly this situation is escalating. It is one thing to see it on the news, but with the map you will be able to see the whole landscape change by just swiping between different dates.”
The Hatteras Island Erosion Drone Imagery map is an active and ongoing Dare County GIS project. New drone imagery is continually being collected and added to the map as it becomes available, expanding the historical record and improving long-term analysis of coastal erosion.
For more information about Dare County’s new Hatteras Island Erosion Drone Imagery map, please contact Dare County GIS Specialist Kristen Stilson at Kristen.Stilson@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5598. To access the map, visit DareNC.gov/GIS or click the button below.
