Residents left without power after significant damage to Hemsby Gap
People are being urged to stay away from the area in case of a collapse
Last updated 25th Nov 2023
Warnings have been issued around the Hemsby Gap in Norfolk after high tides and strong winds left significant damage.
Following severe weather conditions in the area throughout Friday night (November 24th), the Gap has been affected, with sand dunes on both sides of the Gap also being destroyed.
As well as the natural damage to the area, a 200-metre long section road which runs along the Marrams towards the south of the area has collapsed, being washed into the sea due to intense coastal erosion.
As a result of the damage, access to the area has become restricted and has created "very dangerous conditions" for those driving in the area.
Hemsby Lifeboat Service warned people to be vigilant and keep as far from the area as possible, so as not to put their lives in jeopardy. The service added that further collapses are likely.
In a post uploaded to their Facebook page, the service wrote: "The damage has left the Gap area and dunes in a very unstable condition, and we are asking anyone visiting the beach this weekend to be extra vigilant.
"If you are in the area of the Gap, please stay away from the edge and the base of the dunes, as there is a high risk of further collapse," they continued. "Thank you for your attention."
The extensive damage to the area has left some residents in villages surrounding the Gap with no power.
Figures from UK Power Networks revealed that a total of 337 homes close to Hemsby were without electricity.
A statement from the supplier's website said: "Our engineers have turned off the power in the NR29 3, NR29 4 area in the interest of the public's health and safety.
"This is so they can investigate reports of a low overhead line caused by coastal erosion."
Simon Measures from the Save Hemsby Coastline group said that the situation was becoming more dire, as some residents are now stuck in the area.
"As it stands at the moment, we still have no vehicular access - we've got no idea what the plan is to fix this," he said. "A number of residents who are particularly vulnerable have been suggested that they find alternative places to stay."
He continued: "It's now been shown as a way of demonstrating exactly how not to handle coastal erosion. There was no plan behind this - there wasn't even a yellow weather warning; we just had a sudden collapse of the road and now a large section of the road is gone."
Measures added that the remaining residents in the area are now relying on the Council to help keep them in their homes.