Posted on April 14, 2026
Dare County is pleased to announce the release of an updated version of its interactive drone map developed by Dare County GIS, which now includes expanded coverage of coastal erosion occurring on Hatteras Island.
Initially launched in February 2026 to showcase side-by-side comparisons of drone imagery collected during drone flights in the villages of Rodanthe and Buxton, the updated Hatteras Island Erosion Drone Imagery Map has been enhanced to incorporate newly monitored areas in both Hatteras Village, as well as the southern end of Avon—providing the public with an even more comprehensive view of Hatteras Island shoreline changes over time.
“The interactive map that was launched earlier this year in response to erosion concerns in Rodanthe and Buxton continues to serve as a valuable tool for visualizing and understanding coastal erosion,” said Dare County GIS Analyst Kristen Stilson. “With the addition of Hatteras Village and the southern end of Avon, Dare County GIS is expanding its efforts to monitor and document conditions across a broader portion of Hatteras Island using drone technology.”
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 changing conditions and make the most informed decisions.
When utilizing the map, users can select two different dates of drone imagery from available locations using a dropdown menu. A swipe tool in the center of the map allows users to move back and forth to compare images side by side, making it easy to visually observe shoreline changes and erosion occurring over time.
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, further expanding the historical record and improving long-term analysis of coastal erosion.
For more information about Dare County’s Hatteras Island Erosion Drone Imagery map, please contact Dare County GIS Analyst Kristen Stilson at Kristen.Stilson@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5598. To access the map, visit DareNC.gov/GIS or click here.
