Tide starts to subside as village prepares for the morning
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
The tide is beginning to subside now and the lifeboat team are taking a breather.
In spite of a few hail showers and flurries of heavy snow, the fierce weather hasn’t materialised and it’s hoped there will be little more damage to the coastline tonight.
But there’s another high tide at about 09:30 tomorrow morning.
Thank you for being with us this evening. We'll bring you the latest from Hemsby tomorrow.
Home now close to the edge
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
One of the properties at risk in HemsbyImage caption: One of the properties at risk in Hemsby
One of the most at-risk homes is now just a metre (3ft) from the cliff edge.
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
Heavy machinery has been brought in to demolish threatened homes before they tumble onto the beach belowImage caption: Heavy machinery has been brought in to demolish threatened homes before they tumble onto the beach below
Tomorrow morning, the home is likely to be demolished by this excavator along with two other properties in Hemsby.
Ground collapse leaves mains pipe suspended
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
The blue water pipe which was previously below groundImage caption: The blue water pipe which was previously below ground
This blue pipe is an exposed water main.
Just a few hours ago it was buried beneath the ground.
But in the past few hours the soil around it has been torn away by the sea leaving it exposed and suspended in mid air.
Pole to topple 'if not tonight then tomorrow'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
I'm currently with Chris Batten, from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, who is inspecting a telegraph pole.
At the moment the telegraph pole is still connected.
Chris says despite this, it is close to toppling “if not tonight then tomorrow”.
'I'm extremely angry, disappointed and upset'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
Lorna Bevan, landlady at the Lacon Arms, set up the Save Hemsby Coastline Charity in 2013.Image caption: Lorna Bevan, landlady at the Lacon Arms, set up the Save Hemsby Coastline Charity in 2013.
Lorna Bevan, landlady at the Lacon Arms, set up the Save Hemsby Coastline Charity in 2013.
"For 10 years we have been fighting to get some sort of protection for our coastline.
"I'm extremely angry, disappointed and upset and the list continues."
The charity has been pushing for a rock berm at the base of the cliff which would provide some protection from the erosion.
"Everything that has been done has been because of the Save Hemsby Coastline or the lifeboat guys."
She says the village is waiting for the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to approve the plans.
The MMO says it has been "working proactively" with the council to streamline the requirements for the application.
A spokesperson said: "The marine licence application is on hold awaiting further information on the Environmental Impact Assessment decision from Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
"Once this information is received the MMO will proceed to make a determination on the application as soon as possible."
Police to cordon off access road to prevent use
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
The police are now moving down towards the access road we mentioned earlier to cordon it off.
The road is the only access road to properties on The Marrams.
Many here fear it will soon collapse.
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
The road is the only access road to properties on The MarramsImage caption: The road is the only access road to properties on The Marrams
Pub turned into lifeboat's unofficial 'crisis HQ'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
At the local pub, The Lacon Arms, the lifeboat crew has set up what has dubbed “crisis HQ”.
They include one to the south and two to the north of the lifeboat station
Chickens were rescued from a shed by the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat team just moments before the building collapsed onto the beach below
A children's playhouse was the first casualty as high tide approached
Concerns voiced about the water main to eight properties
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
I’m told this access road has been significantly undermined by the sea.
John Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: John Ironmonger/BBC
The access road beyond the cordon has been seriously undermined by the sea beneathImage caption: The access road beyond the cordon has been seriously undermined by the sea beneath
There are about eight homes at the other end of the road.
Concerns have also been voiced about the water mains to those properties.
Road is close to collapse
We've heard a road is close to collapse. Our reporter Jon Ironmonger is on his way there and we will post updates as soon as we get them.
Freezing temperatures faced by emergency teams
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
The temperatures faced by those working in Hemsby tonight are set to dip to freezing or below after midnight.
It is currently about 1C (33.8F) but will feel colder because of the wind coming off the sea.
Three homes might be demolished - coxswain
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
Alex Dunlop/BBCCopyright: Alex Dunlop/BBC
Three homes on the cliff might be demolished "as soon as possible".
Daniel Hurd, the coxswain at Hemsby Lifeboat, said: "They are on the brink of collapse and possibly going into the sea so they want to get that hazard removed as soon as possible."
He said, however, those properties might end up washed away tonight.
Mr Hurd said other properties might also be affected.
"We don't know what's going to happen tonight," he said.
"We don't know if they're going to be at risk and possibly needing to be demolished as well."
A recent history of coastal erosion
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
PACopyright: PA
One the bungalows in Hemsby which fell into the sea during a tidal surge in 2013Image caption: One the bungalows in Hemsby which fell into the sea during a tidal surge in 2013
This stretch of the Norfolk coast has been fighting a long battle with coastal erosion.
Seven bungalows along The Marrams had to be demolished when sandy cliffs washed away in March 2018.
In December 2013, "the worst storm surge in 60 years", destroyed seven homes.
What is the council saying?
Qays Najm/BBCCopyright: Qays Najm/BBC
Great Yarmouth Borough Council says it is supporting homeowners and assessing damage after high tides caused further erosion of dunes at Hemsby.
It said it was particularly concerned about three properties, one to the south and two to the north of the lifeboat station, due to their "proximity to the cliff edge".
The council said it had been a "changing situation" throughout the day following the high spring tides over the last 24 hours, and it was "too early" to say if any of the homes would have to be demolished.
Chief executive Sheila Oxtoby said: "It's very, very difficult and we are trying to be incredibly sensitive
"We are dealing with people at a very emotional time but everyone's been cooperative and we're trying to provide as much welfare support as well as dealing with the practicality of the situation."
'Without the beach there is no Hemsby'
Kate Scotter and Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent LifeboatImage caption: Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat
Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, said it was immensely upsetting watching the coastline disappearing like it is tonight.
"It is devastating," he says. "We've worked hard year after year putting the blocks in trying to protect what we can protect.
"We've tried our best and we've been asking for help. Where is the help coming from? Without the beach, there is no Hemsby."
High tide is officially here at Hemsby
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
High tide has officially arrived at Hemsby.
Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, said: "It will sit in now for quite a long while. We are just monitoring the dunes here and a good one or two metres (3ft to 6ft) has just slid off."
'It's going to be a very busy night'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
The chickens were rescued "just in time" after the shed they were in toppled into the sea, moments after they were saved.
Kevin Fenn, one of the lifeboat crew members who found the chickens, said: "We were walking along, checking the bungalows, as we were instructed to do, and we got to the end one and spotted the shed was hanging over the cliff.
"We went to observe what was in the cage and Stewie said 'I think there's some chickens in there' and we went and had a quick look and there were."
He said another 10 minutes and the birds would have been in the water as the shed fell over while they were there.
"We rescued them just in time," he said. "It's going to be a very busy night."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Watch: Lifeboat station crews help in chicken rescue
Video content
Video caption: Chickens rescued from cliff-top homesChickens rescued from cliff-top homes
Watch: The moment a shed falls into the sea as high tide hits
Video content
Video caption: The moment a shed falls into the sea at HemsbyThe moment a shed falls into the sea at Hemsby
Lifeboat crew rescue chickens from at-risk home
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
A lifeboat crew made a last-minute dash to save two chickens from one of the cliff-top homes.
The crew from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat Station received a call that the two birds not been collected from one of the at-risk properties so they made a mad dash to rescue them.
Live Reporting
Kate Scotter, Jon Ironmonger and Laurence Cawley
All times stated are UK
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC One of the properties at risk in HemsbyImage caption: One of the properties at risk in Hemsby 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC Heavy machinery has been brought in to demolish threatened homes before they tumble onto the beach belowImage caption: Heavy machinery has been brought in to demolish threatened homes before they tumble onto the beach below 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC The blue water pipe which was previously below groundImage caption: The blue water pipe which was previously below ground 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC Lorna Bevan, landlady at the Lacon Arms, set up the Save Hemsby Coastline Charity in 2013.Image caption: Lorna Bevan, landlady at the Lacon Arms, set up the Save Hemsby Coastline Charity in 2013. 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC The road is the only access road to properties on The MarramsImage caption: The road is the only access road to properties on The Marrams 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC -
Three homes on the cliff might be demolished "as soon as possible"
-
They include one to the south and two to the north of the lifeboat station
- Chickens were rescued from a shed by the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat team just moments before the building collapsed onto the beach below
-
A children's playhouse was the first casualty as high tide approached
John Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: John Ironmonger/BBC The access road beyond the cordon has been seriously undermined by the sea beneathImage caption: The access road beyond the cordon has been seriously undermined by the sea beneath 
Alex Dunlop/BBCCopyright: Alex Dunlop/BBC 
PACopyright: PA One the bungalows in Hemsby which fell into the sea during a tidal surge in 2013Image caption: One the bungalows in Hemsby which fell into the sea during a tidal surge in 2013 
Qays Najm/BBCCopyright: Qays Najm/BBC 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent LifeboatImage caption: Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat 
BBCCopyright: BBC Video caption: Chickens rescued from cliff-top homesChickens rescued from cliff-top homes Video caption: The moment a shed falls into the sea at HemsbyThe moment a shed falls into the sea at Hemsby 
Jon Ironmonger/BBCCopyright: Jon Ironmonger/BBC
Latest PostTide starts to subside as village prepares for the morning
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
The tide is beginning to subside now and the lifeboat team are taking a breather.
In spite of a few hail showers and flurries of heavy snow, the fierce weather hasn’t materialised and it’s hoped there will be little more damage to the coastline tonight.
But there’s another high tide at about 09:30 tomorrow morning.
Thank you for being with us this evening. We'll bring you the latest from Hemsby tomorrow.
Home now close to the edge
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
One of the most at-risk homes is now just a metre (3ft) from the cliff edge.
Tomorrow morning, the home is likely to be demolished by this excavator along with two other properties in Hemsby.
Ground collapse leaves mains pipe suspended
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
This blue pipe is an exposed water main.
Just a few hours ago it was buried beneath the ground.
But in the past few hours the soil around it has been torn away by the sea leaving it exposed and suspended in mid air.
Pole to topple 'if not tonight then tomorrow'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
I'm currently with Chris Batten, from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, who is inspecting a telegraph pole.
At the moment the telegraph pole is still connected.
Chris says despite this, it is close to toppling “if not tonight then tomorrow”.
'I'm extremely angry, disappointed and upset'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
Lorna Bevan, landlady at the Lacon Arms, set up the Save Hemsby Coastline Charity in 2013.
"For 10 years we have been fighting to get some sort of protection for our coastline.
"I'm extremely angry, disappointed and upset and the list continues."
The charity has been pushing for a rock berm at the base of the cliff which would provide some protection from the erosion.
"Everything that has been done has been because of the Save Hemsby Coastline or the lifeboat guys."
She says the village is waiting for the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to approve the plans.
The MMO says it has been "working proactively" with the council to streamline the requirements for the application.
A spokesperson said: "The marine licence application is on hold awaiting further information on the Environmental Impact Assessment decision from Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
"Once this information is received the MMO will proceed to make a determination on the application as soon as possible."
Police to cordon off access road to prevent use
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
The police are now moving down towards the access road we mentioned earlier to cordon it off.
The road is the only access road to properties on The Marrams.
Many here fear it will soon collapse.
Pub turned into lifeboat's unofficial 'crisis HQ'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
At the local pub, The Lacon Arms, the lifeboat crew has set up what has dubbed “crisis HQ”.
Hemsby: What is the latest?
Kate Scotter and Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Concerns voiced about the water main to eight properties
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
I’m told this access road has been significantly undermined by the sea.
There are about eight homes at the other end of the road.
Concerns have also been voiced about the water mains to those properties.
Road is close to collapse
We've heard a road is close to collapse. Our reporter Jon Ironmonger is on his way there and we will post updates as soon as we get them.
Freezing temperatures faced by emergency teams
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
The temperatures faced by those working in Hemsby tonight are set to dip to freezing or below after midnight.
It is currently about 1C (33.8F) but will feel colder because of the wind coming off the sea.
Three homes might be demolished - coxswain
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
Three homes on the cliff might be demolished "as soon as possible".
Daniel Hurd, the coxswain at Hemsby Lifeboat, said: "They are on the brink of collapse and possibly going into the sea so they want to get that hazard removed as soon as possible."
He said, however, those properties might end up washed away tonight.
Mr Hurd said other properties might also be affected.
"We don't know what's going to happen tonight," he said.
"We don't know if they're going to be at risk and possibly needing to be demolished as well."
A recent history of coastal erosion
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
This stretch of the Norfolk coast has been fighting a long battle with coastal erosion.
Seven bungalows along The Marrams had to be demolished when sandy cliffs washed away in March 2018.
In December 2013, "the worst storm surge in 60 years", destroyed seven homes.
What is the council saying?
Great Yarmouth Borough Council says it is supporting homeowners and assessing damage after high tides caused further erosion of dunes at Hemsby.
It said it was particularly concerned about three properties, one to the south and two to the north of the lifeboat station, due to their "proximity to the cliff edge".
The council said it had been a "changing situation" throughout the day following the high spring tides over the last 24 hours, and it was "too early" to say if any of the homes would have to be demolished.
Chief executive Sheila Oxtoby said: "It's very, very difficult and we are trying to be incredibly sensitive
"We are dealing with people at a very emotional time but everyone's been cooperative and we're trying to provide as much welfare support as well as dealing with the practicality of the situation."
'Without the beach there is no Hemsby'
Kate Scotter and Laurence Cawley
BBC News
Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, said it was immensely upsetting watching the coastline disappearing like it is tonight.
"It is devastating," he says. "We've worked hard year after year putting the blocks in trying to protect what we can protect.
"We've tried our best and we've been asking for help. Where is the help coming from? Without the beach, there is no Hemsby."
High tide is officially here at Hemsby
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
High tide has officially arrived at Hemsby.
Alan Jones, second coxswain of the Hemsby Independent Lifeboat, said: "It will sit in now for quite a long while. We are just monitoring the dunes here and a good one or two metres (3ft to 6ft) has just slid off."
'It's going to be a very busy night'
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
The chickens were rescued "just in time" after the shed they were in toppled into the sea, moments after they were saved.
Kevin Fenn, one of the lifeboat crew members who found the chickens, said: "We were walking along, checking the bungalows, as we were instructed to do, and we got to the end one and spotted the shed was hanging over the cliff.
"We went to observe what was in the cage and Stewie said 'I think there's some chickens in there' and we went and had a quick look and there were."
He said another 10 minutes and the birds would have been in the water as the shed fell over while they were there.
"We rescued them just in time," he said. "It's going to be a very busy night."
Watch: Lifeboat station crews help in chicken rescue
Video content
Watch: The moment a shed falls into the sea as high tide hits
Video content
Lifeboat crew rescue chickens from at-risk home
Jon Ironmonger
BBC Look East
A lifeboat crew made a last-minute dash to save two chickens from one of the cliff-top homes.
The crew from Hemsby Independent Lifeboat Station received a call that the two birds not been collected from one of the at-risk properties so they made a mad dash to rescue them.