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Sirens heralded storm that changed the shape of Chesil beach Sirens heralded storm that changed the shape of Chesil beach
(about 7 hours later)
The eerie wailing of the siren reminded Edwin and Janet Timbrell, 80 and 79, of the war. "It went off three times," said Mr Timbrell. "My wife asked me after the third one if that was the all-clear."The eerie wailing of the siren reminded Edwin and Janet Timbrell, 80 and 79, of the war. "It went off three times," said Mr Timbrell. "My wife asked me after the third one if that was the all-clear."
It wasn't. The sirens on Portland, Dorset, indicated that the sea defences were about to be breached. Residents were warned to retreat upstairs to rooms facing away from Chesil beach.It wasn't. The sirens on Portland, Dorset, indicated that the sea defences were about to be breached. Residents were warned to retreat upstairs to rooms facing away from Chesil beach.
The problem wasn't just the waves that in due course did pile over the concrete barrier and into some homes on Brandy Row (so called because it was formerly a smugglers' haunt). It was also that pebbles from the beach were being pinged across the seawall and on to neighbouring streets.The problem wasn't just the waves that in due course did pile over the concrete barrier and into some homes on Brandy Row (so called because it was formerly a smugglers' haunt). It was also that pebbles from the beach were being pinged across the seawall and on to neighbouring streets.
Many residents admitted they had not in fact sought refuge but had watched the spectacular waves roll in. Amanda Broughton-South, one of the landladies of the Cove House Inn right on the seafront, said it was a scary night. "But it was also exciting. I couldn't resist standing at the window and watching it all unfold. It was spectacular."Many residents admitted they had not in fact sought refuge but had watched the spectacular waves roll in. Amanda Broughton-South, one of the landladies of the Cove House Inn right on the seafront, said it was a scary night. "But it was also exciting. I couldn't resist standing at the window and watching it all unfold. It was spectacular."
The sea poured over the sea wall on to the terrace of the pub (which was party HQ for the Australian sailing team during the Olympics) but the storm shutters that had been hastily put up did their job and kept the interior dry.The sea poured over the sea wall on to the terrace of the pub (which was party HQ for the Australian sailing team during the Olympics) but the storm shutters that had been hastily put up did their job and kept the interior dry.
As day dawned, first dark and thundery, later bright but still very breezy, locals and visitors gazed out as waves continued to pound the shore and reshape the famous beach.As day dawned, first dark and thundery, later bright but still very breezy, locals and visitors gazed out as waves continued to pound the shore and reshape the famous beach.
Ian Morgan, field operative for the Environment Agency (and keen local surfer), said he had never seen anything like the storm and waves in the 20 years he had lived on Portland.Ian Morgan, field operative for the Environment Agency (and keen local surfer), said he had never seen anything like the storm and waves in the 20 years he had lived on Portland.
"I won't be surfing any time soon. You'd be killed if you tried to get into that," he said. Teams of EA workers have been here all night – and been praised for the efficient job they did."I won't be surfing any time soon. You'd be killed if you tried to get into that," he said. Teams of EA workers have been here all night – and been praised for the efficient job they did.
Morgan said the shape of the beach had changed dramatically. Rather than sloping down to the sea gradually, it now plunges steeply towards the water. Thousands of tonnes of shingles have been pushed against the hard sea wall and thrown over it.Morgan said the shape of the beach had changed dramatically. Rather than sloping down to the sea gradually, it now plunges steeply towards the water. Thousands of tonnes of shingles have been pushed against the hard sea wall and thrown over it.
"It'll be years before the beach is back to the shape it was," said Simon, a council worker who had spent the previous night making sure residents were safe and on Tuesday was handing out sandbags."It'll be years before the beach is back to the shape it was," said Simon, a council worker who had spent the previous night making sure residents were safe and on Tuesday was handing out sandbags.
Like most other locals, he was stoical. "The beach will come back naturally but nothing stays the same. And there'll be good fishing when the sea dies down a bit. They love it when the sea churns up the bed like this."Like most other locals, he was stoical. "The beach will come back naturally but nothing stays the same. And there'll be good fishing when the sea dies down a bit. They love it when the sea churns up the bed like this."
One structure that will not be returning is Pom Pom Rock, otherwise known as Bob's Knob, a stack off Portland that collapsed in the storm. "We used to jump off that as kids," said Simon. "We won't be doing that again."One structure that will not be returning is Pom Pom Rock, otherwise known as Bob's Knob, a stack off Portland that collapsed in the storm. "We used to jump off that as kids," said Simon. "We won't be doing that again."
Across the road from the Cove House Inn, at Brandy Cottage, Shaun Souster was mopping out his porch after seawater poured in. "I've been here 13 years and this is the first time we've been flooded," he said.Across the road from the Cove House Inn, at Brandy Cottage, Shaun Souster was mopping out his porch after seawater poured in. "I've been here 13 years and this is the first time we've been flooded," he said.
Margaret Young continued to watch the pounding waves from the first floor of her cottage. She has lived here 18 years and never before heard the siren. "It was an eerie sound," she said.Margaret Young continued to watch the pounding waves from the first floor of her cottage. She has lived here 18 years and never before heard the siren. "It was an eerie sound," she said.
The last time this corner of Dorset flooded was 1979 when cars floated off into the local square. "Let's hope this isn't the sign of things to come," she said.The last time this corner of Dorset flooded was 1979 when cars floated off into the local square. "Let's hope this isn't the sign of things to come," she said.
Back in 1824 a great storm killed 22 people here and destroyed 25 houses.
At the Chesil beach centre a mile or so down the coast, assistant warden Angela Thomas was busy rescuing seabirds – guillemots, razorbills, and a single fulmar – battered by the storm. "They become exhausted and can't look after themselves," she said.
The exhibitions at the centre have a particular relevance on a day like this. They describe how the beach is a natural sea defence.
If it was permanently breached, Portland, Weymouth and all points east would be at threat from the huge waves that roll in from the Atlantic at times like this.
Thomas said the beach would eventually re-form itself after this storm. "It has been particularly dramatic because the strong winds and large waves have coincided with a spring tide and it has all gone on for so long.
But in the coming weeks and months those terraces will return. The beach will sort itself out. It might not always. There may be a time – we've no idea when – that the sea does overtop Chesil."
As the day wore on and the next high tide brought no fresh flooding, people became bolder, walking along the sea wall that before had been a no-go zone.
Hair became stiff with salt. Beachcombers began to pick their way through the flotsam and jetsam thrown on to the shore.
Emergency crews that had been scrambled to Portland because of fears for the causeway that links it to the mainland were stood down.
The sun came out and bold wind- and kite-surfers ventured out on to the much flatter waters of Portland harbour on the other side of the causeway from Chesil beach.
Before the Environment Agency had cancelled its severe flood warning, the Cove House Inn had done so unofficially by taking down its storm shutters.
"It's been fun but I wouldn't mind a quieter night," said Broughton-South.
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