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How rising seas are impacting the Outer Banks

The National Park Service and Environmental experts say the threats to the Outer Banks are only going to increase as the climate continues to warm up.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Outer Banks are feeling the effects of rising sea levels.

Let's connect the dots.

Three homes have washed away in Rodanthe in the past year. It comes as a new report projects U.S. sea level will rise as much in the next 30 years as it did in the past 100. 

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The National Park Service and Environmental experts say the threats to the Outer Banks are only going to increase as the climate continues to warm up.

Rising sea levels are leading to erosion and now Cape Lookout National Seashore is also seeing the effects of erosion.

Now it's laying out a new system to help break up and reduce the force of incoming waves. The orange cylinders, along with other barriers installed last year are part of an ongoing effort to protect historic structures on the coast. 

The device is part of a temporary solution until a dredging project begins in November. Some of the sand removed will be used to build up the beach near the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. 

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All that in hopes North Carolina's popular barrier islands remain for decades to come.

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