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Norfolk floods: Seven Hemsby homes destroyed by waves Norfolk floods: Seven Hemsby homes badly damaged by waves
(about 2 hours later)
Seven cliff-top homes were washed into the sea as the biggest tidal surge in 60 years hit the Norfolk coast. Seven cliff-top homes were badly damaged as the biggest tidal surge in 60 years hit the Norfolk coast.
The properties were destroyed overnight in Hemsby during storms along the east coast of England. Three properties fell into the sea at Hemsby and four more were "seriously undermined" in the east coast storms.
Ray Mooney, who was inside his home as the storm hit, said: "I heard a crash and whole back part of the floor caved in. Everything went down."Ray Mooney, who was inside his home as the storm hit, said: "I heard a crash and whole back part of the floor caved in. Everything went down."
He said he was assessing the damage but expected the property to be either demolished or washed out to sea.He said he was assessing the damage but expected the property to be either demolished or washed out to sea.
"This is my only asset," he said. "That's it, I haven't got anything else."This is my only asset," he said. "That's it, I haven't got anything else.
"I had just done the house up to sell but now I have nothing. I'm homeless.""I had just done the house up to sell but now I have nothing. I'm homeless."
Steve Connelly, 54, and his wife Jackie, 64, managed to rescue their three-month-old kittens Tom and Jerry before their home nearby was also destroyed.Steve Connelly, 54, and his wife Jackie, 64, managed to rescue their three-month-old kittens Tom and Jerry before their home nearby was also destroyed.
Mr Connelly, who bought the two-bedroom bungalow in Beach Road, for £59,000, said: "We were in the pub when we heard the cliff was going so rushed to get what we could out."Mr Connelly, who bought the two-bedroom bungalow in Beach Road, for £59,000, said: "We were in the pub when we heard the cliff was going so rushed to get what we could out."
He said residents formed a chain to help them rescue furniture and some belongings.He said residents formed a chain to help them rescue furniture and some belongings.
"People we've never even met were helping out, it was amazing."People we've never even met were helping out, it was amazing.
"Suddenly we heard a shout 'it's going, it's going' and we watched our kitchen get ripped apart. The whole house collapsed before our eyes."Suddenly we heard a shout 'it's going, it's going' and we watched our kitchen get ripped apart. The whole house collapsed before our eyes.
"We're devastated at what we've lost but at least me, Jackie and the kittens are safe.""We're devastated at what we've lost but at least me, Jackie and the kittens are safe."
The land on which the homes stood 30ft (9m) above the shore has been washed into the sea.The land on which the homes stood 30ft (9m) above the shore has been washed into the sea.
The seven families, now homeless, have been given emergency accommodation.The seven families, now homeless, have been given emergency accommodation.
In Cromer, part of the sea wall collapsed and the pier was closed for safety reasons.In Cromer, part of the sea wall collapsed and the pier was closed for safety reasons.
Jason Holland, from Cromer Coastguard, warned: "People are putting their lives at risk by trying to get equipment from their beach huts. People should stay away." Much of this had crashed on to Cromer Pier breaking slates on walkways into pieces.
Norfolk Police Supt Stuart Gunn warned people to stay away as the huge waves could be carrying boulders or other heavy debris.
Much of this had crashed onto Cromer Pier breaking slates on walkways into pieces.
The Coastwatch station at East Runton had to be abandoned after the cliff on which it stood collapsed.The Coastwatch station at East Runton had to be abandoned after the cliff on which it stood collapsed.
Secretary Ian Arnold said: "All of a sudden the cliff gave way and all that was left was the fence hanging over the waves."Secretary Ian Arnold said: "All of a sudden the cliff gave way and all that was left was the fence hanging over the waves."
Thousands of people spent the night in emergency centres after leaving their homes because of the weather.Thousands of people spent the night in emergency centres after leaving their homes because of the weather.
Waves pounded the coast, bringing down many sections of cliff from Hunstanton in the north west of Norfolk to Hemsby in the south.Waves pounded the coast, bringing down many sections of cliff from Hunstanton in the north west of Norfolk to Hemsby in the south.
Police have advised people to stay where they are as two more peak tides are expected in the next 36 hours. Two more peak tides are expected in the next 36 hours.
The power went off on South Quay in Kings Lynn and parts of the town were underwater. The power went off on South Quay in King's Lynn and parts of the town were underwater.
Firefighters rescued several people from floods in North Norfolk, King's Lynn, Bacton and Walcott.Firefighters rescued several people from floods in North Norfolk, King's Lynn, Bacton and Walcott.
Ch Supt Bob Scully, from Norfolk Police, urged people to stay in emergency centres if their homes had been evacuated.
He also warned people to resist the temptation of visiting flooded areas as they were still "hazardous".
Many homes have lost electric power because of flooding or high winds bringing down supply cables and engineers have been working to reconnect them where possible.Many homes have lost electric power because of flooding or high winds bringing down supply cables and engineers have been working to reconnect them where possible.
UK Power Networks said: "Where there are pockets of individual homes without power because they have been flooded, our engineers will switch the mains supply on again as soon as it's safely possible.
"But this could take some time as the water needs to recede first.
"Some homes may be part of the affected area even if they are not directly flooded."
Elsewhere in Norfolk:Elsewhere in Norfolk: