High tides eroded the sandstone cliffs in Hemsby, Norfolk, posing a risk of collapse, forcing residents to evacuate their homes. Daniel Hurd, coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, stated that evacuating their homes was “heartbreaking.” Mary and Pat Whitey were persuaded to move to a hotel provided by the Great Yarmouth Borough Council on Thursday night.
The 79-year-old homeowner, who has resided in his house for the past 35 years, reported that his immediate neighbour evacuated her bungalow earlier in the day. When he and Mrs. Whitey realised their home was at risk of collapsing the following week, they resigned themselves to the fact that they would have to vacate. A council spokesperson stated that he was unaware of the exact number of people who had fled their homes to seek refuge in council-provided housing.
Over the next 48 hours, high spring tides were predicted, along with easterly winds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h). Thursday evening, resident Lance Martin had approximately 5 metres (15 feet) of garden behind his residence. When he awoke on Friday, he had only 3m remaining (9ft). He maintains optimism that his home can be saved.
Work is in progress to protect the dunes and the “main access road for 62 properties” by storing household items that may need to be removed and by finding solutions to protect the dunes. The council has proposed placing granite rock in front of the dunes as a “short-term interim option” to help protect the dunes, pending any necessary planning permission.
High tides have eroded the sandstone cliffs in Hemsby, Norfolk, forcing residents to abandon their homes. The wooden structures are dangerously close to the edge and are in danger of collapsing. High spring tides and strong easterly winds have caused significant damage, with residents reporting that a significant portion of their gardens vanished overnight.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is providing shelter for evacuees and working to protect the dunes and the “main access road for 62 properties.” The council has proposed placing granite rock in front of the dunes as a “short-term interim option” to protect against further erosion, pending any necessary planning permission.
The situation was described as “heartbreaking” by the coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, Daniel Hurd, because residents were forced to abandon their homes. Lance Martin, who is still hopeful that his home can be saved, observed that a large portion of his garden had vanished overnight.
Along Britain’s coastline, coastal erosion remains a problem, and authorities are urged to take more preventative measures.
