Erosion fears as Storm Babet approaches Hemsby village

After losing several metres of its coastline on the weekend, Hemsby is expected to see easterly gusts of up to 40mph during the upcoming storm.

Crew from the village's independent lifeboat service are on standby already, having recently reconnected a water main which burst during the collapse of an old service road on The Marrams.

Part of the old Marrams road has fallen onto the beach. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)One resident, who did not wish to be named, has already started removing her belongings in preparation for an evacuation.

Slips of sand on the dunes behind a Marrams home in April. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)Village sea defence campaigner Lorna Bevan said many residents were in low spirits over the situation.

"People are despondent," she said.

"People are on standby with their bags packed. It's going to be a very drastic weekend, I fear.

"The trauma these families go through is horrendous. You can't help but feel useless.

"We’ve gained no sand on the beach this summer. One big storm and it can take 30m in one night, just like the Beast from the East.

"We're just waiting for it to happen."

Lorna Bevan by Hemsby Gap. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Ms Bevan, who helped establish Save Hemsby Coastline (SHC), has been campaigning for a rock berm to be built on the beach to safeguard the future of homes and seasonal trade at the tourism resort.

In March, Hemsby was successfully granted a licence for a 1.3km long rock berm. However, funding has yet to be found.

Ms Bevan said Great Yarmouth MP Sir Brandon Lewis has been in close contact with SHC during the charity's initial stages.

The remains of a property on The Marrams. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)However, she said she felt disappointed that the MP had not been in contact recently with any updates on the funding of a sea defence.

"Throughout a lot of the early stages, Brandon told us what we needed," she said.

"And we have planning in place now, and we've heard nothing from him since.

"It beggars belief there are plans in place but there are no plans in place to protect this seaside resort. To see nothing coming our way to slow the erosion is upsetting.

"Brandon may have been active in the background, but he has to let his constituents know. Hemsby is part of his constituency. And his promises are not being fulfilled as far as I can see."

Great Yarmouth MP Sir Brandon Lewis. Picture - PA (Image: PA)Sir Brandon said: “The current situation is extremely concerning, especially if, as expected, wind speed increases over the coming days.

"I have made contact with the council to receive an update on what steps are being taken to ensure that residents stay safe, by themselves and the owners of the beach. 

"I will continue to work with Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Coastal Partnership East to help secure the funding for a solution for Hemsby, and recently arranged for them to meet with senior members of the Environment Agency to explore routes towards funding.

"This is a complex process and will require support from the owners of the beach as well. ”

A weather warning has been issued for Norfolk by the Met Office from Wednesday night to Saturday. Picture - Met Office (Image: Met Office)The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning that begins at 9pm on Wednesday and will continue uninterrupted for four days.

Parts of England can expect more than 100mm of rainfall during the week with some isolated areas facing up to 150mm.

The forecaster has warned people to expect flooding, power cuts and travel disruption.

Over the next few days, Hemsby Independent Lifeboat will be monitoring the coastline and assisting residents.

Hemsby Independent Lifeboat helmsman Chris Batten by the eroded Gap in 2022. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)Coxswain Daniel Hurd said he fears the worst is yet to come.

"Sections of the dunes to the immediate north and south of the Gap are in real danger of collapse, so we urge residents and visitors to be extra vigilant," Mr Hurd said.

"We've only got a matter of time."

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been contacted for comment.