Hemsby survives morning high tide as Storm Babet continues

Today, crew members from the independent lifeboat service were carrying out patrols along the beach and on the at-risk Marrams road.

The Marrams, Hemsby on October 20. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Coxswain Daniel Hurd said despite the wave height not being as bad as expected, the sea continues to claw away at the dunes.

"Overnight has not been particularly bad," said Mr Hurd.

"But the storm has only just arrived and we continue to be concerned for people living on the Marrams as well as the access road. We're going to ensure residents are safe and no harm comes to them."

Coxswain Daniel Hurd and villager Kenny Chaney inspecting the Marrams. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Hurd said he and the crew continue to fear the safety of the lifeboat station - which is only protected from the tides by two crumbling dunes - but "people's livelihoods and homes come first".

The lifeboat station on Beach Road is acting as a control centre during the storm, with the lifeboat liaising with the parish council and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

In the event of residential evacuations, Mr Hurd said the village hall will be set up if necessary.

"But hopefully, it won't come to that," he added.

High tide at Hemsby Gap. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)This morning's high tide claimed between one to two metres of sand from the south side of the Marrams. The next high tide is at 11.08pm, but the winds are expected to change to the southwest direction.

While the wind change may provide some respite for the coastline, tidal surges could still claim more of the village's cliffs.

Hemsby beach shortly after high tide on October 20. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The uncertainty in the village has caused sleepless nights for Marrams homeowner Kevin Jordan.

"The house shakes when the sea crashes against the dunes, and then you're looking at tide tables, looking at wind speeds," he said.

"I’ve never known this much anxiety in all my life."

Marrams homeowner Kevin Jordan. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Jordan, 70, has been on the Marrams for 14 years. When he moved in, his home was protected by a large dune which has now been claimed by the sea.

"The sea is only about five metres from my boundary," he said. 

"I’m very concerned. Just as we all are."

The south of the Marrams. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Jordan said he was especially fearful of the Marrams access road collapsing again as it did in March. The road has since been re-routed to allow vehicles to enter the south end of the Marrams, but Mr Jordan fears that that will be decimated over the winter.

Mr Jordan's fears were ramped up following Wednesday's announcement that the planned 1.3km rock berm was not eligible for government funding. 

A banner reading 'Shame On You' has been placed by Hemsby Gap. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Originally expected to cost between £9m and £15m, the village was told the cost for a sea defence had risen "significantly higher" in a joint statement from Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Coastal Partnership East, Great Yarmouth MP Sir Brandon Lewis, and Norfolk County Council.

The statement also said that schemes of this cost and scale would only attract government funding where hundreds of homes are at risk.

Lego brick-type sea defences have been added to Hemsby beach by several people. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"We are preparing for what now appears to be the inevitable situation of losing more properties, either by the loss of the access road or directly from erosion," the press release said.

It is thought the cost for the rock berm is now £20m.

Three neighbours by the Marrams have resorted to installing their own sea defences at the bottom of the south dunes. Concrete blocks were added two weeks ago, with more neighbours said to be considering building their defences themselves.

Yellow warnings continue in Hemsby for both rain and wind until Saturday afternoon.