South West England’s beaches have yet to recover from destructive winter of 2013-2014
Almost three years after the brutally stormy winter of 2013-2014, the beaches along England’s South West coast have yet to recover, experts say.
According to a study by researchers at the University of Plymouth, the winter season left many beaches in the U.K. in their most eroded state since records began in 1948.
“South West England was hit hard during the winter of 2013-2014 by numerous windstorms,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said. “The season started early and continued throughout.”
In this photo taken Sunday Feb. 2, 2014, cattle try to graze amidst the floodwater of the River Parrett near Langport, Somerset, England. Thousands of acres of this corner of southwest England have been under water for weeks, some villages have been cut off for more than a month, and local people forced to take boats to get to school, work and shops are frustrated and angry. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The strongest storm was St. Jude during 26 October to 31 October, with gusts over 100 mph in coastal regions.
“But, the peak of the stormy winter was in December. Over a course of a 10-day stretch from Christmas to New Year’s, a cluster of windstorms pounded the British Isles,” Roys said.
Much of the region ended up with 200-300 percent of average precipitation between 1 October and 1 April.
The recurring storms led to coastal flooding and, when coinciding with high tide, higher waves battering the coast causing severe erosion.
According to the study, there has been some recovery in the summer months since 2013-2014, but this progress has been wiped out in the following winters.
With the beaches still significantly damaged, they stand a greater risk for additional erosion this winter and in those to come.
"Obviously it's very important for the Cornish and the South West economy to have sand on beaches because they are an amenity and a resource for tourists in the summer," Tim Scott, head of the study, told Cornwall Live.
According to Roys, areas that typically only flood during major events will likely now flood in minor to moderate events.
“This is a big deal because it has increased the chance for flooding with any windstorm or even a winter storm that has no big wind impact,” Roys said.
"This flooding may not be limited to the beaches. It could also put coastal homeowners at risk over the next several years, with the possibility of causing thousands of pounds in damages for homeowners.”
According to Scott, it will be important to understand the role climate cycles are playing moving forward.
"With the advance of climate change, it is likely we will experience more extreme and energetic storms in the future, and developing a greater understanding of coastal recovery – and any means by which we can influence it – will be essential,” Scott said.
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