Yahoo News Coastal erosion: The villages at risk of falling into sea as beach loses '10ft of land in two days'
Hemsby isn't the only coastal area in the UK under threat because of erosion. At the end of last month, 21 "erosion hotspots" were identified, including Hemsby, across the English coast.
The village seaside resort of Hemsby in Norfolk was closed at the weekend after its coastline lost 10ft (3m) of land in just two days.
There are fears its popular beach could be closed to the public for decades because of the ongoing threat of coastal erosion.
The sea has been taking land and homes from the village for a number of years, and two more bungalows are now at risk.
The village's volunteer lifeboat crew can no longer launch because a 9ft sheer drop has emerged on the beach.
Daniel Hurd, coxswain of Hemsby Lifeboat, said: “It has been horrendous.
“We knew we were going to get some washed away this year but now the beach is going to have to stay shut permanently.
“Unless the authorities get the ball rolling, we’re probably looking at another 20 years before the beach opens.”
Chris Batten, the crew’s secretary and helmsman, said the damage was caused by the cumulative effects of multiple high tides and strong winds, rather than an especially strong storm surge.
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“There are two specific properties that are at greatest risk," he said.
“One of the families has already evacuated and the other is still there.
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“The crew were all on stand-by last night and we were down the station doing patrols of the area every 30 minutes to make sure the residents were safe and well.”
Keith Kyriacou, chairman of Hemsby Parish Council, said: “The beach is in a terrible state. It is in a bad way.
“We’re just so desperate for the government to help us out here."
But Hemsby isn't the only coastal area in the UK under threat because of erosion.
At the end of last month, 21 "erosion hotspots" were identified, including Hemsby, across the English coast.
The list of villages and hamlets at risk was compiled by climate action group One Home.
It said 2,218 homes were in danger, with an estimated total worth of £584m.
The areas at risk include seaside villages in Cornwall, Cumbria, Dorset, East Yorkshire, Essex, Kent, the Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Norfolk and Sussex.
Here are the 21 areas at risk from coastal erosion:
1 Chuck , Northumberland
2 Wilsthorpe to Atwick, East Yorkshire
3 Rolston to Waxholme, East Yorkshire
4 Hollym to Dimlington Cliffs, East Yorkshire
5 Easington to Kilnsea, East Yorkshire
6 Overstrand, Norfolk
7 Trimingham, Norfolk
8 Mundesley, Norfolk
9 Bacton/Walcott/Ostend, Norfolk
10 Happisburgh, Norfolk
11 Hemsby, Norfolk
12 Point Clear, Essex
13 Minster Slopes to Warden , Kent
14 Fairlight Cove, East Sussex
15 Quarr/Binstead, Isle of Wight
16 Thorness Bay to Gurnard Bay, Isle of Wight
17 Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight
18 Durlston Bay, Dorset
19 Downderry, Cornwall
20 Marazion East/Perranuthnoe, Cornwall
21 Coulderton/Nethertown/Braystones, Cumbria
Angela Terry, chief executive of One Home, said: "Sea levels are rising as global temperatures soar and so larger waves batter our coast during severe storms.
"These irreversible changes mean some cliff faces are crumbling fast.
"We can't turn the tide or build a wall around the entire coast so we urgently need to help seaside communities to prepare for the damage that will come."
One Home said many homeowners don't even know their properties are at risk, adding that there is no compensation scheme for those residents.
