Rodanthe, North Carolina


Rodanthe is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, on Hatteras Island, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 261. Rodanthe, along with Waves and Salvo, are part of the settlement of Chicamacomico. Rodanthe includes the original Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station, decommissioned in 1954, but now a museum.
Rodanthe is served by North Carolina Highway 12, which runs north/south through town. The Chicamacomico area is bordered to the north by Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and to the south by Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a situation which limits potential growth. The town is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Pamlico Sound to the west.
Rodanthe is the easternmost point of North Carolina. It is famous for its observation of "Old Christmas" on January 6, formerly Christmas, December 25, by the Julian Calendar, a custom held over from the original settlers who still used the "Old Style" calendar. A mythical beast, "Old Buck"—possibly related to Belsnikel or Krampus who are companions of Saint Nicholas in Christmas festivities—is said to appear at the celebration.
The residents of Rodanthe are governed by the Dare County Board of Commissioners. Rodanthe is part of District 4, along with Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras, Waves and Salvo.
The Chicamacomico Life Saving Station and Oregon Inlet Station are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tourist economy

Many of Rodanthe's restaurants, shops and markets are seasonal, closing during the winter months and reopening the following spring. Many of these are family-owned, rather than chain franchises. Provisions can still be purchased on the Outer Banks during the winter months, but a short drive south to the town of Avon or north to Nags Head is required.
There are only two motels within the larger settlement of Chicamacomico. There are, however, three inns or bed and breakfasts on the island of Hatteras There are numerous rental houses, large and small, as well as numerous campgrounds ranging from deluxe to rustic. Several smaller campgrounds cater to water sports enthusiasts. Local water sports include fishing, kayaking, swimming, sailboarding, kiteboarding, and Wreck diving, among others.

In fiction

In 2002, Nicholas Sparks published the book Nights in Rodanthe that was later adapted into a movie. George C. Wolfe directed the film adaptation, which was partially filmed in the town of Rodanthe and entirely filmed in eastern North Carolina - including Cape Hatteras, Southport and Wilmington. The movie was released on September 26, 2008. Several Rodanthe landmarks such as the Rodanthe Pier were used during filming. During film production, one of the rental houses, "Serendipity", the northeastern-most house in Rodanthe, was transformed into the fictional "Inn at Rodanthe". This house was damaged and condemned after a nor'easter storm in November 2009. The house was saved from demolition by a private businessman, Ben Huss, a bail bondsman, from Newton, North Carolina, and moved less than one mile south.

Climate

According to the Trewartha climate classification system, Rodanthe, North Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation. Cfak climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature > 32.0 °F, at least eight months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F, at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Rodanthe, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ 100 °F. Rodanthe is prone to hurricane strikes, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season which extends from June 1 through November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September. During the winter months, episodes of cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < 10 °F. The plant hardiness zone in Rodanthe is 8b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 16.9 °F. The average seasonal snowfall total is < 2 inches, and the average annual peak in nor'easter activity is in February.

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Rodanthe, North Carolina would have a dominant vegetation type of Live oak/Sea Oats Uniola paniculata with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie.