Cromer’s 60 year storm – Before, During and the Aftermath

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A 60 year storm battered Norfolk’s coastline last Thursday, wrecking businesses and homes and putting the Coastguard on full alert.

While I was in the area expecting to get “a few shots” I had no idea how destructive this tidal surge would be, let alone catch it on camera as it unfolded.  The images below are a small insight into the power of nature and the chaos this surge has caused.

For me it started around 4pm when you could see that the tide had a strength I’d not witnessed before.  This first shot was around 3.45pm….

At around 4.25 the tide was looking a bit more serious, with the odd wave sending out spray and foam over the sea wall.

I popped into the Red Lion with a friend for a quick coffee and warm up as, by now, it was bitterly cold too.  We emerged around 1 hour later, still not even high tide to witness a tidal cauldron smacking into the pier and prom.  Things were looking dangerous and, not long after, the Coastguard showed up as the prom started to fill up with surges of sea spray.

The Coastguard were keen to get the six remaining fishermen off the pier, one of which was riding a mobility scooter, he was the first to be fetched.

Once a few more waves had hit the Pier entrance the prom walkway was submerged in water and at its peak this was up to 2 feet deep.

At high tide the next day the full extent of the damage to the prom could be seen, with the amusement arcade with its façade ripped away and large chunks of the coastal wall, up to 8 feet in length, lay strewn across the prom. Although it had subsided, the tide was still strong enough for the damage to continue, while the Coastguard were still on alert and ensuring no-one ventured down to the, now very sorry looking, pier.
While workmen discussed what needed to be done, a rather optimistic sign stands nearby…..”Re-opening soon”.The prom and beach huts look a rather sad state and will take some time to repair. Tangled bits of beach huts lay in a twisted mess across the prom.While this is the quiet season, as far as tourists are concerned, it hopefully gives North Norfolk Council the opportunity to get the prom and pier back onto its feet ready for the new season as it heavily relies on the tourist pound.