The vanishing Outer Banks

As rising seas and storms inundate the South's barrier islands, residents face hard choices about whether to rebuild. Those who stay are learning to live with fear.

The Outer Banks.
(Image credit: Davicl2/iStock)

This article originally appeared in The Washington Post. Used with permission.

Ocracoke, North Carolina — On any normal late-fall day, the ferries that ply the 30 miles between Swan Quarter and this barrier island might carry vacationing retirees, sports fishermen, and residents enjoying mainland getaways after the busy summer tourist season.

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