Homeowners in Norfolk have been ordered to abandon their clifftop properties after Storm Goretti dramatically worsened coastal erosion in the area.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council issued evacuation notices to residents on The Marrams and Fakes Road in Hemsby, warning their homes face imminent collapse and have been earmarked for demolition.
More than 30 feet of coastline has vanished in certain parts of the village over the past seven days, with approximately 13 feet disappearing on Friday alone.
Residents reported losing as much as four metres of land in a single night.
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The emergency measures follow the demolition of 11 properties in the same area just last month, after similar notices were served to devastated landlords.
Carol Boyes, 80, was assisted from her chalet by lifeboat crew members, council workers and volunteers as her property teetered on the brink.
Her decking now hangs precariously over the cliff edge.
"The decking was still there on Friday but because of the storm they said they were going to move us out. Just as well because the next morning the road had gone. It had just cracked in half," Mrs Boyes told the Daily Mail.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council issued evacuation notices to residents on The Marrams and Fakes Road in Hemsby
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Ms Boyes, who had resided there for 23 years, said she was staying with a friend temporarily but had nowhere to go afterwards.
Eric Forbes, whose family had owned his property since the 1990s, estimated roughly 12 feet of land had disappeared from in front of his home since last Friday.
"It's been a disaster. I'm in the middle of it all right now and I'm a bit stressed out," Mr Forbes said.
Campaigners from Save Hemsby Coastline have sharply criticised the local authority's handling of the crisis.
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Storm Goretti continues to batter the UK with severe weather warnings in place across multiple regions
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Kevin Jordan, a member of the pressure group, described the speed of land loss as "truly frightening" and lamented the break-up of a close-knit community as homes disappeared.
His colleague Simon Measures accused the local authority of a "lack of leadership" in failing to slow erosion.
"All we observe are council officials and elected representatives commenting on the situation," Mr Measures said.
"We experience it first-hand, witnessing our homes and those of our friends and neighbours being consumed by the sea, while no action is taken. Not a single home has been protected."
Mr Measures argued a state of emergency should have been declared, noting the catastrophe had been building for years rather than arriving unexpectedly.
A council spokesman defended the authority's response, stating they had been liaising closely with affected residents for some time.
"It is extremely traumatic for those affected, but coastal experts say there is a real risk of collapse," the spokesman said.
"Making sure residents and the public are safe is of paramount importance so we are working closely with owners to explain the risks, offer support and advice where necessary."
Storm Goretti continues to batter the UK with severe weather warnings in place across multiple regions.
Wind speeds reaching 100mph could strike exposed areas, with forecasters warning of violent gusts, particularly in South West England.
Up to 30cm of snow may fall in the Midlands and Wales, while parts of the Home Counties could see 20cm.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold-weather health alerts until January 11, warning of expected rises in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over.
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