People living in erosion-threatened homes in Hemsby are preparing for three days of "extremely high spring tides".
The village is facing the possibility of more dunes being lost this week as very high tides are predicted to begin to rise on Thursday, peak on Friday and stretch into Saturday.
Ian Brennan, of campaign group Save Hemsby Coastline, said: "Everyone is absolutely terrified. They can see what's coming but they can also see that the powers that be haven't stepped up.
"It's going to be another long winter ahead of us," he added.
Over the past week, officers from Great Yarmouth Borough Council have been visiting residents of houses closest to the sea on the Marrams and Fakes Road.
The purpose of the visits was to establish an understanding of individual circumstances so the council is able to offer advice and appropriate support for residents who might need it as we move into autumn and winter.
Council officers are also collating and adding to their information about things such as water supplies and sewerage in the area.
A borough council spokesperson said: ‘’Unfortunately the dunes in Hemsby are vulnerable to continued erosion and, as we approach the winter, we want to do all we can to help our residents who might be affected.
‘’Wherever possible we are in dialogue with those whose homes might be at risk and will look to provide advice and support around issues such as housing and safety.
‘’The safety of our residents remains our number one priority in a location which is seeing the all-too-real impact of coastal erosion," the spokesperson added.
READ MORE: Vandals target Hemsby man who rescued house from clifftop
A total of 25 homes in Hemsby have been lost over the past 11 years due to coastal erosion.
The village was granted a licence for a 1.3km-long rock berm last year, but was turned down for government funding as the £15m scheme would only qualify "where hundreds of homes are at risk".
However, campaigners have argued a criteria change was needed due to the almost £100m the resort generates each year for the borough of Great Yarmouth.
In January, environment secretary Steve Reed, then the shadow secretary, pledged a Labour government would "open the door" for funding sea defences in Hemsby.
And on Monday (September 16), Mr Brennan said campaigners are still "pinning their hopes" on Mr Reed.
"When he visited Hemsby he seemed to understand the issue. He went away suggesting he was going to do something about it."
READ MORE: Shadow minister pledges to 'open the door' for sea defence funding
In August last year, summer tidal surges claimed six metres of Hemsby Beach exacerbating the problem of the crumbling Marrams road which had already started falling into the sea.
By December, further road collapses made several homes inaccessible and five were later demolished.
Mr Brennan predicted that another four or five houses on the Marrams will "likely go" in the next storm.
READ MORE: Children's Parliament uses LEGO to spotlight Hemsby's erosion emergency
In a related development, the Sir David Amess UK Children's Parliament for primary aged students held a 'Cobra' style meeting on Saturday, September 14, in Hemsby.
The children grilled members of the borough council and Norfolk County Council, Save Hemsby Coastline, Hemsby Independent Lifeboat and two former residents of The Marrams, Kevin Jordan and Lance Martin, who have been made homeless because of coastal erosion.
Clark Dearson, 11, the children's parliament Prime Minister, said: "It's clear that there's a very real and immediate problem that is life-changing for the communities in this and the surrounding areas.
"If nothing is done, it could, at best, forever change the lives of many local people and the local economy, and at worst, could result in a substantial loss of life."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel