Fierce storms tore through flood defences and ripped apart age-old cliffs as Britain endured another day of dramatic weather.
Hundreds of homes were flooded as the worst storms in 20 years continued to cause misery across the country, and a flood siren warning of extreme danger to people was sounded in Dorset as tidal surges and storms batter the coast.
A landmark rock arch that has stood for centuries above Porthcothan Bay in Cornwall was reduced to rubble by towering waves and 70mph winds.
Porthcothan Bay is famed for its picture-postcard beach and caves - but its massive stone archway has now collapsed into the sea.
The towering outcrop once resembled a giant rocky doughnut, however it now looks like someone has taken a huge bite out of it.
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A landmark rock arch that has stood for centuries above Porthcothan Bay in Cornwall was reduced to rubble by towering waves and 70mph winds
Before: The rock arch at Porthcothan Bay pictured in 2013 before it was destroyed by the recent storms
Residents say their idyllic beach on the North Cornwall coast will never be the same.
Porthcothan Bay was one of numerous Cornish harbours and coastal towns lashed by 30ft waves and 70mph winds over the weekend.
Resident Tamsin Swindells, 39, said locals were devastated by the loss of the stone archway, known locally as The Anchor or Jan Leverton's Rock.
She said: ‘People used to climb up it and jump off the archway in the summer. It was probably going to collapse eventually because of erosion.
‘But the waves were immense over the weekend and they've brought the whole thing crashing down in one go.
Astonishing: People photograph enormous waves as they break on Porthcawl, South Wales, where very strong winds and high seas create dangerous conditions
Spray: Storm-driven waves batter the sea front at the Welsh coastal town of Aberystwyth. Strong winds and large waves caused further coastal flooding
Evacuation ordered: Large waves crash over the promenade at high tide in Aberystwyth, Mid Wales
Obscuring the promenade: Waves crash against the Aberystwyth coastline as strong winds and high tides continue to blow in from the west
‘It's just a pile of rocky rubble now - it looks like a demolition site. The beach just won't be the same without it; it's completely changed.
‘It's a real shame but the cliff-face is the ultimate canvas for Mother Nature and she'll no doubt carve all kinds of arches and shapes in the future.’
The Environment Agency raised the flood siren alarm after the sea breached Chiswell Breach in Portland last night, following a severe flood warning in the area.
Dorset Police have told families to move to an upstairs room facing away from the sea with flood kits.
Severe flood warnings - the highest level of warning - have also been issued by the Environment Agency for nearby Preston Beach and the Lower Stour in Dorset.
And in the Welsh town of Aberystwyth large swathes of the historic Victorian promenade were torn up as though ‘a bomb had hit’ the seafront.
As forecasters revealed that last month was the stormiest December since 1969, floods have left all access roads to Muchelney under 3ft of water.
The Somerset village, which lies between Taunton and Yeovil, has been cut off for four days - and it's only just recovered from last year's flooding.
More than 122 flood warnings urging people to be prepared for flooding remain in place across the country , including in Dorset, Oxfordshire, south Wiltshire, Hampshire and along the river Thames, while more than 200 low-level alerts have been issued.
The Met Office issued a ‘be aware’ yellow warning for wind as gusts of up to 70mph are expected on the west and south-west coast of Britain today, with heavy showers, some of them combined with hail and thunder, continuing to affect parts of southern and south-eastern England today and tomorrow.
Isolated: An aerial view of Muchelney in Somerset, which has been cut off by the floods, as much of the UK continues to endure bad weather and flooding
All under water: An aerial view of the Somerset Levels which shows the true extent of the flooding in the South West
No way in or out: The Somerset village of Muchelney, which lies in between Taunton and Yeovil, has been cut off for four days after the roads flooded
Flooding in Somerset: The wind, rain and waves have also caused damage across the county
Island: The latest storm to hit the UK is causing disruption for many people returning to work after the Christmas holidays
Sun shining through: Roads have been closed and train services are cancelled or delayed in some areas because of the weather
There is no way out: Surrounded by flood water, the Somerset village of Muchelney near Lanngport has become an island
Rising: The village is pictured here on January 2. Residents can now only leave by boat - with the water so deep that not even a tractor can make it through
Trying to get through: A Nissan 4x4 drives though flood water on January 2 close to Muchelney, near Langport in Somerset, which has been cut off by flooding,
Looking out: The Somerset village of Muchelney, which lies between Taunton and Yeovil, has been cut off for four days after the roads flooded
Muchelney resident and farmer Mike Curtis stands in his flooded kitchen in the village of Muchelney which has been cut off by flooding near Langport in Somerset
Forecasters said this will cause ‘exceptionally high waves’. Heavy rain fell across much of Britain last night, with up to 1.6in expected on higher ground.
Muchelney's residents can now only able to leave the village by boat - with the water so deep that not even a tractor can make it through.
Many of the villagers were able to get essential supplies today after a boat travelled to meet a Tesco delivery that had been ordered.
Muchelney - which aptly means 'Big Island' in Saxon - was devastated last year after suffering the worst floods in 90 years.
It is thought the residents may remain trapped for a further two weeks - if the weather reports predicting more rain are accurate.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘We've been completely cut off. We're not able to get out at the moment.
'The only way out is by boat. There are a couple of boats running to get supplies - they are out at the moment collecting a big Tesco delivery for us all.
‘There has also been a boat service arranged for children who need to get to school - at the moment it's so deep you can only see the tip of car aerials.
‘It looks like it's going to be at least another two weeks until we're able to start using the roads again, and that depends on how the weather is in that time.
‘It's tragic that many of the people who have just returned home following last year's flood have been flooded again.'
Incoming: Giant waves batter the coastline at Towan Headland, Newquay, near the old lifeboat station
Stay away from the seafront: Waves crash against the promenade in Aberystwyth, Wales, as strong winds and high tides continue in western Britain
Danger: People were still gathering to watch enormous waves as they break on Porthcawl, defying guidance from police and the Environment Agency
Splash: Porthleven in Cornwall today. Britain was again being battered by strong winds and large waves today as coastal communities braced for further flooding
Huge: Colossal waves batter the Cornish coast at Porthleven. Officials around the country have pleaded with people to keep away from the storm-hit coasts
Destruction: The 18th century pier at Portreath minus its 'monkey house' - a small stone hut - which was washed away by the massive Atlantic breakers this morning
Ahead of the storm: How the monkey hut appeared last year before today's swell hit the harbour in Cornwall
Surfers have reportedly flown in from the US to follow a deep depression across the Atlantic dubbed Winter Storm Hercules, hoping to catch big waves.
And other thrill-seekers were still risking their lives to storm-watch, defying guidance from police and the EA to stay away from dangerous coastlines.
The EA estimates 220 properties have been flooded so far as miles of coastline are battered and roads and fields across the country are under water.
Residents and shop owners on the seafront of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, were being told to leave their properties because of fears over more flooding.
Waves of 27ft have been recorded at Land's End and the storm was causing disruption for many people returning to work after the Christmas break.
The severe EA alerts are at Preston Beach area in Weymouth, the Chiswell area of Chesil Beach, and the Lower Stour in Bournemouth, all Dorset.
The transport network has been hit, with roads closed and trains delayed or cancelled in many parts of the South, including Hampshire, Kent and Surrey.
There were no trains between Romsey and Redbridge in Hampshire due to flooding, and First Great Western warned that there was a risk to services.
The Thames Barrier was in operation to protect those along the river. In Oxford a man died when his mobility scooter fell from a flooded path into a river.
Police were called to Osney Lock in the city at 6.30pm on Saturday after receiving a report that the 47-year-old man had fallen into the river.
Get ready: This Magic Seaweed map shows the height in feet of the waves approaching Britain from the Atlantic, with the highest heights in black
Watch out: The Environment Agency has issued 320 flood warnings or alerts - including three severe warnings, where there is 'significant risk to life'
Graphic: Ongoing flooding is expected on the Somerset Levels and rivers in the South East, including the Severn, remain 'very high' after recent rainfall
When to expect them: This map shows some of the high tide times for Wales and the South-West today, including Newquay and Aberystwyth
Pouring in: Flood water smashes through a wall in Langport, Somerset, as much of the UK continues to endure bad weather and flooding
Not open for business: Stormy weather at Caswell Bay in Swansea, South Wales, as Britain is battered by high waves and strong winds
Severe weather: Porthleven in Cornwall. Coastal areas are likely to suffer further aggravation from gusts of wind expected to reach 60mph to 70mph
Looking out: Wave watchers get to close as the water covers the road in Porthleven. The Environment Agency said the risk of flooding continued this week
Submerged: A row of residential homes is surrounded by flood water in the town of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, as roads turn into rivers
A police spokesman said the man's death was being treated as unexplained but was not believed to be suspicious. His next-of-kin has been informed.
Ed Temperley, editor of wave forecasting website Magicseaweed.com, told MailOnline: ‘Today Europe is the centre of the big wave world, and the North Atlantic is playing host to big wave teams from across the globe.
The EA urged those in Dorset and Oxfordshire to watch out for ‘significant flooding’ in the lower reaches of the Thames, Dorset Stour and Frome rivers.
‘We have Brazilians in Portugal, a South African and Hawaiian team in France, and Portuguese and German chargers in Ireland who have all arrived to surf the swell of the season.
'The biggest rideable swell will be at Nazare in Portugal, but some of the coldest and most dangerous will be in Ireland. The Basque Country will be really good as well for a select paddle crew.
‘Despite the media coverage big wave surfing gets these days it is still an incredibly dangerous and frequently deadly sport performed by true professionals who dedicate their lives to surviving the horrific forces wiping out and long periods being held down under water.’
Ongoing flooding is expected on the Somerset Levels and rivers in the South East, including the Severn, remain ‘very high’ after recent rainfall.
Jonathan Day, flood risk manager at the EA, warned that the risk of flooding continued this week. He said: ‘Although high tides are now falling, there remains a risk of coastal flooding, especially on the south and west coasts.
‘In addition, wet conditions have left the ground saturated in many areas, increasing the risk of river and surface water flooding.
‘We would urge people to be prepared by checking their flood risk, signing up to free flood warnings and keeping an eye on the latest flood updates.
Wave heights off the UK today: Pink and grey show the swells are peaking at 50ft
‘Environment Agency teams remain out on the ground across the country and will continue to work around the clock to protect communities at risk.’
David Cameron pledged that lessons will be learned from the flooding and insisted that the EA has been given the funding to protect frontline services.
Already destroyed: At either side of the high tide at 11.20am today, a deep depression drives a huge ground swell of waves to crash into the promenade at Aberystwyth
Evacuation ordered: Large waves crash over the promenade at high tide in Aberystwyth, Mid Wales
Protection: As the River Avon rose, people in one Bristol street hoped a new piece of council equipment would stop floodwater pouring into their homes
Doing its job: A 4ft emergency barrier was all that stood between the people of Avon Crescent and the rising river in Bristol
From above: An aerial view of flooding on the lower River Arun floodplain in Sussex, which was taken by the Environment Agency Geomatics team
Choppy: Waves batter the coast in Newquay, Cornwall, as strong winds hit exposed coasts and combine with large waves to bring a risk of coastal flooding
No-go area: Flood water from the River Wey fills a field in Guildford, Surrey. Environment Agency flood warnings are in place for parts of the UK today
No play today: Strong winds and more rain sustain flooding around the Worcestershire County Cricket Club's ground in Worcester
Damaged: The Worcestershire County Cricket Club ground was covered in floodwater today as the South-West was battered by severe weather conditions
The Prime Minister told the BBC: ‘We're spending £2.3billion in this four-year period on flood defences which is more than the previous four-year period.
SEARCH FOR MISSING NAKED MAN
A search was launched today for a naked man who went missing from his parents’ seaside home in the early hours of the morning.
Aaron Fiveash, 36, of Southbourne, Dorset, was thought to have walked out of the property in Bournemouth at 5.30am this morning.
One line of inquiry was whether the man had headed towards the stormy sea or swollen River Stour near to his home in Southbourne.
Mr Fiveash’s 61-year-old father Dennis pleaded to him: ‘We love you, please come home. We are all really worried about you.’
He was described as being white, 5ft 11in tall, of medium build and with short black hair.
‘We have also enabled them to access other sources of money - partnership funding - so I think we're going to see record levels of spending on flood defences and we have guaranteed that right out into 2020 so they can really plan for the future.’
Mr Cameron added on the Andrew Marr Show: ‘I think we're doing a lot more things better. I think flood warnings are better, I think the flood defences have protected tens of thousands of homes but there will always be lessons to learn and I'll make sure they are learned.’
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson chaired a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency committee yesterday.
He said: ‘Surface water flooding remains likely in some parts of the UK and the Government remains ready to respond and continue to help communities.
‘When clean-up operations are able to begin, then assistance will be provided.’
Flooding has also affected the centre of Salisbury in Wiltshire, with three residents forced from their homes in The Close, which is next to the cathedral. The cathedral is unaffected by the floods and this evening's Eucharist for the Feast of the Epiphany, continues as normal.
In Cornwall, flooding affected 65 properties but no one has been evacuated or rehoused. In Looe around 20 properties - mainly business premises - were flooded. The wind, rain and waves have also caused damage across the county.
In Newquay the road near the Blue Reef Aquarium collapsed and on the town's Fistral Beach a balcony area by the surf centre collapsed along with the supporting walls.
In Portreath a section of the finger pier and harbour wall has been damaged and council staff are monitoring the risk at Gwithian Towans following reports of a mine shaft collapse.
The Rail Delivery Group, which speaks on behalf of the rail industry, apologised for passengers' delays because of the weather but said 96 per cent of scheduled services were operating.
‘Although some parts of the rail network have been affected by localised flooding and other weather-related damage, 96 per cent of scheduled services are running and more than eight out of 10 trains are arriving as planned,’ a spokesman said.
‘Nevertheless, we apologise to passengers whose journeys have been affected by bad weather. Rail staff will continue to do all they can to get services safely back up and running.’
Searches were carried out in south Devon over the weekend for missing 18-year-old university student Harry Martin, who was last seen leaving his home to take photographs of the weather - with more than 100 people volunteering to look for him.
Troubled area: The River Cerne breaks its banks and floods the church yard at St Mary's Church in Charminster, near Dorchester, Dorset
Trying to make it through: A 4x4 Land Rover splashes through the swollen ford at Brockenhurst in the New Forest, Hampshire, as flooding hits the South
Forceful: A huge wave hits the harbour wall at Porthleven, clearing the houses. The EA estimates about 220 properties have been flooded so far
Crash: Porthleven in Cornwall today. The Met Office said bands of heavy showers would continue to move eastwards across parts of the UK
Carrying on: Road flooding alongside Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey. Prime Minister David Cameron pledged that lessons will be learned from the flooding
Floods and storms: A swan swims on flood water surrounding Tewkesbury Abbey (left) in Gloucestershire, while a dog walker braves the conditions in Porthleven (right)
WOMAN CLINGS TO RIVER BANK FOR 40 MINUTES AFTER FALLING IN AS SHE RESCUED HER DOG BAILEY
A woman was left desperately clinging to the edge of a river bank for 40 minutes as she waited for emergency services to pull her out.
Christine Mullis, 26, lost her balance and toppled into the water seconds after lifting her two-year-old English springer spaniel Bailey from the muddy river bank of the River Yeo in Yeovil, Somerset, where he was trapped.
She said: ‘My mum and I took Bailey for a walk by the river and we hadn’t gone far down the path when he went into the water. I noticed that he was struggling to get up out of the mud.
‘He was getting tired and panting and I thought, we have to get him out of there. My mum and I strung two leads together to try and get him but when we finally managed it I lost my footing and fell into the river myself.
‘I was clinging onto the edge of the river bank, submerged in cold water up to my chest. You get that horrible feeling and thoughts go through your mind like: “Is this the last thing I’m ever going to do”?’
Miss Mullis was eventually helped out and taken by paramedics to Yeovil District Hospital.
Two people have already died in the storms.
Harry Swordy, 27, from Surrey was found on Porthleven Sands beach in Cornwall after he was swept out to sea on New Year's Eve night.
Mr Swordy, 27, disappeared beneath 15ft waves when he waded into the swell in the early hours of January 1.
He was with his sister and several friends but they managed to clamber ashore at Loe (corr) Bar, near Porthleven, Cornwall, and raised the alarm.
Coastguards spent hours searching for him in 50mph winds and "atrocious" conditions but a body was found washed up a day later.
It was identified as Mr Swordy, from Guildford in Surrey, who was in Cornwall for New Year celebrations.
Pal Tom Luddington said on his blog: 'Harry was such an amazing character, so full of life, warmth and plans for the future. He will be so missed.
'Harry, amongst other talents, was a professional story teller. His stories were full of beauty, wonder and they were clever and moving.'
Mr Swordy's friends are now campaigning for the storm to be renamed Storm Harry in his honour.
Mr Luddington added: 'We are campaigning that the storm, named by the U.S. media as Hercules, be re-named Storm Harry in his memory.
'It feels right that a legend begin about wonderful Harry that he danced up the biggest storm ever, barefoot in the sea.'
A woman also died after being rescued from the sea in Croyde Bay, north Devon.
Officials around the country have pleaded with people to keep away as dozens put their lives at risk by going to coastal areas to watch as the storm brought waves of up to 40ft (12.2m) high crashing on to land.
A man and child were almost swept away by a huge wave at Mullion Cove in Cornwall as they peered over the sea wall to watch the raging sea and elsewhere in Cornwall vehicles driving on a coastal road were swamped and almost washed away by a tidal surge.
Police pulled a man from the sea who had been drinking at Towan Beach, Newquay, after he had ignored warnings about the fierce storms.
In Aberystwyth, a man was rescued by lifeboat after he became trapped when photographing waves from a harbour jetty.
The coastal surge in recent days has tested more than 1,864 miles (3,000km) of flood defences in England and more than 205,000 properties have been protected, according to the EA.
Northern Ireland has largely escaped any serious flooding or damage but, amid fears of changeable conditions, police announced plans to hand out sandbags in a number of towns close to the Co Down coast, which they believe could be vulnerable to the high tides, wind and rain.
Meanwhile, police in Dorset were warning that the potential for flooding in the county was ‘critical’ with more rain forecast.
The Met Office issued a ‘be prepared’ amber weather warning for the county and forecast a significant weather front moving across the area which is expected to cause more disruption. The EA gave a severe weather warning for Iford Bridge home park near Christchurch, Dorset.
The weather is likely to improve as the week goes on, the Met Office said, but coastal areas are likely to suffer further aggravation from gusts of wind expected to reach 60mph to 70mph. Dorset Police said the A354 Blandford to Salisbury road was already closed.
Capturing the moment: A man photographs the massive waves hitting the coast at Sennen Cove, Cornwall, as Britain was again battered by strong winds
Where does the road end and the water begin? Flooding at Emsworth in Hampshire at high tide. Pictured is the South Street car park
Looking at the damage: The weather brought the sea into Langstone High Street in Havant, near Portsmouth, Hampshire
Preventative measure: Homes were protected against the flooding by sandbags on Langstone High Street in Havant, which lies just north of Hayling Island
Like a painting: A storm approaches the seafront at Falmouth, Cornwall, just after sunset last night
TRADE UNION: STORMS SHOW THE NEED TO RETAIN COASTGUARDS
A trade union said today that the recent storms show the need to retain Coastguard services.
The Public and Commercial Services union said three Coastguard stations have already closed and five others - Swansea, Liverpool, Walton on the Naze, Brixham and Portland - are earmarked for closure.
The union is warning that lives could be lost as resources were already thinly stretched before the bad weather set in.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘Ministers must put an immediate halt to their station closure plans that we continue to believe will put lives at risk.’
‘The situation in Dorset is considered to be critical with ground water and river water levels already being at saturation point with more rain - expected to be heavy at times - forecast for Monday through to Wednesday,’ a force spokesman said.
‘Motorists are reminded to take extra care and are strongly advised not make unnecessary journeys - there will be significant standing water in many carriageways.’
The Met Office said bands of heavy showers would continue to move eastwards across parts of the UK today.
These are likely to be most frequent across south and west Scotland, north-west England and North Wales and will be accompanied by squally winds along with hail and thunder.
Some 0.2in (5mm) to 0.4in (10mm) of rain could fall in less than an hour, with locally 0.6in (15mm) to 1in (25mm) of rain through today and perhaps as much as 1.6in (40mm) on high ground, forecasters say.
‘The public should be aware of the potential for localised flooding leading to difficult driving conditions, with hail providing an additional hazard,’ a Met Office spokesman said.
Yesterday, a homeowner was rescued after 13 days stranded in her flooded property.
Anne-Marie Simpson had been cut off since a river near her property at North Curry on the Somerset Levels burst its banks when an initial wave of storms swept Britain on December 23.
She moved upstairs, stockpiled dry food and decided to "wait it out" until the water level receded but after the situation worsened, members of the Burnham Area Rescue Boat rescued Mrs Simpson and her dog Elvis.
One of the rainiest places in the country is Otterbourne, near Winchester, Hampshire, which has so far had 3.7in (94.6mm) in the first five days of 2014.
Man and girl almost swept away by huge wave smashing into seafront
This is the dramatic moment a man and a young girl came perilously close to being swept away as a huge wave smashed onto a seaside town.
The scenes were filmed today in Perranporth, Cornwall, as a huge tidal surge slammed into the area - throwing up gigantic breakers over its seafront.
Local resident Mark Thomas was stunned when he saw a man edging closer to the edge with what appeared to be his daughter aged about six or seven.
Look out: The breathtaking scenes were filmed today in Perranporth, Cornwall, as a huge tidal surge slammed into the seaside town
Here it comes: The group prepare themselves for the wave in Perranporth, in a scene caught on video by local resident Mark Thomas
The pair and another man can be seen standing right on the edge of a slipway as an enormous wall of water over 15ft-high is thrown up just feet away.
Mr Thomas said: ‘It was the height of stupidity. There was a point where I thought they were going to be swept away because (of) the power of the waves.
‘It didn’t happen, but it could have. It’s amazing - people seem to feel they are immune somehow. They had a lucky escape.’
Splash: The pair and another man can be seen standing right on the edge of a slipway as an enormous wall of water is thrown up just feet away
Danger: Mr Thomas, who filmed the moment, said it was 'the height of stupidity' for the people to stand where they were seen
HUNT CONTINUES FOR MISSING STUDENT LAST SEEN LEAVING HOME TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WEATHER
Searching: More than 100 people have volunteered to look for Harry Martin
Searches are continuing for a missing 18-year-old university student, who was last seen leaving his home to take photographs of the weather.
More than 100 people have volunteered to look for Harry Martin.
Devon and Cornwall Police said a 20-mile stretch of coastline - 10 miles either side of the 18-year-old's home at Newton Ferrers in south Devon - has been extensively searched as well as inland areas with the help of a range of groups and emergency services.
Police have worked with the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the Urban Search and Rescue Group, Dartmoor Rescue Group, Coastguard, the inshore and offshore lifeboats, the search and rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor but are yet to find Mr Martin.
A police spokesman said: ‘Specially-trained police officers as well as search advisers and a lost person search manager have been appointed to help co-ordinate activities across the known areas.
‘This provides us with the ability to target our resources to key areas and we have carried out structured searches based on the information we have available.
‘Officers have also been providing support to Harry's family. Anyone who has seen Harry or knows of his whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.’
He is described as 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build with short dark hair, a light beard and blue eyes. Mr Martin was thought to be wearing pink-coloured skinny jeans and a grey hooded jumper.
Parts of historic Welsh seafront reduced to rubble by violent storms
Violent storms and strong winds have reduced large parts of the historic seafront at Aberystwyth to rubble and threaten to destroy a popular landmark.
After a weekend of storm torment the Welsh resort's classic Victorian promenade was rocked again today by waves and torrents of driving rain.
Sea shingle littered the popular public promenade and bins, railings and bits of masonry are scattered across the usually pristine seafront.
Destruction: Violent storms and gale force winds have reduced large parts of the historic Welsh seafront at Aberystwyth to rubble
Battered and damaged: Debris from the previous day's stormy weather litters the promenade road in Aberystwyth, Wales
Disaster zone: A near-deserted sea front as local residents are advised to keep away while storm-driven giant waves batter the promenade of Aberystwyth
Iconic: Worst hit has been its Victorian public shelter, a listed building, which partially slid down on to the beach as parts of the promenade fell into the sea
Time to leave: Students in halls of residence along the seafront had already been evacuated in preparation for more morning devastation at high tide
Worst hit has been its Victorian public shelter, a listed building, which partially slid down on to the beach as parts of the promenade fell into the sea.
FEARS OVER RECKLESS SURFERS
Giant waves caused by the storm battering Britain could endanger the lives of reckless daredevil surfers, authorities feared today.
Waves of up to 30ft are forecast to hit Devon and Cornwall, prompting fears inexperienced surfers could put themselves in danger.
Magicseaweed.com said it could be a ‘step into the unknown’ as people prepared to surf the Atlantic ‘code red’ storm at its peak intensity.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and police forces said while they could not stop people going into the water, they urged them not to put themselves or others in danger.
‘They really need to think carefully about the conditions and about their own abilities,’ Falmouth Coastguard said. ‘If they're in any doubt at all, then I'd say, “please don't do it”.’
Last October, Devon surfer Andrew Cotton hit the headlines when he surfed an 80ft wave off Nazare beach in Portugal. Mr Cotton, from Braunton, said he intended to ride the surf off Ireland, but only if he believed it was safe.
‘My advice would be not to go out alone and to be realistic about your ability,’ he said. ‘Know your limits. The sea is so powerful and demands the utmost respect. Knowing when to call it quits can make the difference between surfing again tomorrow or never surfing again.’
Students in halls of residence along the seafront had already been evacuated in preparation for more morning devastation at high tide.
A handful of businesses and hotels were also preparing to evacuate staff having already been forced out late on Friday evening and over the weekend.
Richard Griffiths, who runs the seafront's Richmond Hotel, said: ‘The seafront looks like a bomb has hit it today. It's devastated.
‘We are right on the promenade and the storm is only just starting to abate now. We have been very, very fortunate with little damage to (our) building.
‘But there are neighbouring businesses who are a lot worse off. Some are flooded and have bad water damage.’
He said the public shelter has been ruined by the weather and would need to be completely rebuilt.
‘It's almost completely on the beach. We have been watching it fall into the sea all day. It's still happening while I speak.
‘The shelter is a Victorian listed building where people go in bad weather to eat their ice creams and watch the waves. It's a great shame.’
Student Millie Farmer, 19, said seafront properties had been evacuated and the promenade blocked off by emergency services.
Miss Farmer, a geography student at Aberystwyth University, said the tide was as high as she had seen it in the 16 months she had lived in the town.
‘I've got friends who live on the seafront and they've been evacuated this morning. They say the police are going from door to door,’ said Miss Farmer.
‘I think they're worried about flooding. The tide is high at 11am. At the moment it's about a metre away from the promenade. I've never seen it that high.
'Normally it's 10 to 15 metres away. You can't get on to the seafront. It's blocked off about 100 yards from the promenade.
She estimated that hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage had been done.
‘They're starting to clear up. It's a complete mess,’ said Miss Farmer, of Shepreth, Cambridgeshire. ‘You can't see the road.
'The promenade slabs have been scattered everywhere. It's an extension of the beach. It's a real shame.
Falling down: A handful of businesses and hotels were also preparing to evacuate staff having already been forced out late on Friday evening and over the weekend
Looking on: A member of the local emergency services surveys the grim scene as storm-driven giant waves continue to batter the promenade in Aberystwyth
In the town: Police clear drains in Aberystwyth today as the seaside area braces itself for more storm damage
Splash: After a weekend of storm torment the resort's classic Victorian promenade was rocked again today by waves and torrents of driving rain
'The front was damaged by storms a few weeks ago. They'd only just repaired it. Now it's been ruined again.'
Miss Farmer said seafront properties had been evacuated on Friday and rescue centres set up. She said waves had been ‘spectacular’.
‘The weather today is nothing like as bad as it was yesterday,’ she said. ‘But it was still pretty scary this morning.
'The waves hitting the front were twice as high as me - and I'm not far off six feet.’
ROMANTIC HOME IN RURAL WILDERNESS SITS MAROONED IN THE MIDDLE OF FLOOD WATER
This house sits marooned in the middle of flood water after its homeowner ingeniously spent three years building a 6ft high clay bank to protect it.
Suzette Billington lives 200 yards from the River Tone on the Somerset Levels where 3ft of water regularly entered their home during their first six years in residence.
Floodwaters arrived with such regularity every winter that Mrs Billington kept a boat at the ready tied up outside the living-room window.
This house sits marooned in the middle of flood water after its homeowner ingeniously spent three years building a 6ft high clay bank to protect it
But, after years of bailing out the home Mrs Billington's husband Douglas, who has now sadly died, encircled his two-acre garden with a clay floodbank - which was finished just in time for the floods of autumn 2000.
Now, 13 years on, the flood defences are still holding and widowed Suzette has been left on dry land, in Stoke St Gregory, near Taunton, despite the persistent rain.
The couple bought what could be Britain's most flood-prone home in 1994.
He and his wife were attracted by the romance of the rural wilderness which flowers into a paradise during summer months.
But each year they paid the price of buying a property which became a lonely island almost every winter.
In 1999 Douglas began to build the defence bank, the bulk of which is made of clay and the structure is dressed with top soil.
Mrs Billington was yesterday unavailable for comment.
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