HM Coastguard and Norfolk Police keeping vigilant 24-hour watch over Hemsby cliff-top houses


Winterton, Gorleston and Bacton Coastguard Rescue Teams, Hemsby Lifeboat and Norfolk Police are keeping a round the clock watch on 13 evacuated properties at Hemsby which are in danger of being washed away by the sea. 
 
The bungalows - situated in The Marrams in Hemsby - are nestled on large sand dunes and have been at the mercy of severe weather in the last few days.  The occupants of the 13 properties in immediate danger have been evacuated to the nearby village hall.  Some occupants to north of this area at lower risk have chosen to remain in their properties to see out the worst but are being safely watched over by HM Coastguard and the Police.
 
HM Coastguard and Norfolk Police have cordoned off danger areas and flags have been erected where the erosion is the worst.
 
Liz Hustler, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard said:  “This is a multi-agency response and a local resilience coordinating group has been set up with the emergency services, volunteer organizations and local council resilience managers all working very closely together to keep everyone safe. Those occupants at most risk have been evacuated to the nearby village hall. There is a very real danger that the bungalows that have been evacuated may be swept into the sea.  We are here to safeguard the lives of those that have chosen to remain in their houses to the north of those already evacuated.  Many of the occupants have lived here for years so it’s very traumatic for them.  We are advising members of the public to keep at a safe distance and let the emergency services do their work.  We will be remaining on scene, alongside the Police for at least the next 24 hours to keep people safe.”
 
 

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