'It's a terrifying time' says storm-hit resident

A woman whose seafront family home is among many damaged by weeks of storms has said she is exhausted and scared about what will happen next.

Bonni Lincoln, who has lived in Torcross, Devon for about 20 years, said the village had faced a cycle of damage, clean‑ups and worry.

"It's been a very exhausting three or four weeks here in Torcross," she said. "Anxious, emotional, just not knowing what the future holds. It's just a terrifying time, really."

The village and the A379 Slapton Line were damaged in January storms, but Lincoln said waves had returned with force in February.

"The water was flying over the buildings again, and paving slabs moved," she said about the weather on Tuesday.

"More damage, more mess to clear up, and more anxiety and more worry, because it doesn't feel like much is happening to help us at the moment."

Lincoln said waves smashed through small panes of glass, shutters vanished, water poured down the chimney and they were left in darkness. "We basically rode it out in pitch black, no power, no light, no nothing," she said.

She and her parents are now living in rented accommodation nearby, returning only to shovel out shingle before drains clog again.

"It's just an exhausting battle to protect our property, and it's not looking good at the moment," she said.

"We just want to know really what's happening, if anything is happening, to protect our houses."

Parts of the A379 between Torcross and Slapton, Devon, broke apart after sea defences protecting the road were damaged in storms last month.

Prior to the road washing away, residents had expressed fears about a long crack that had opened up along the seafront.

The cost of repairing the Slapton Line has been estimated to be about £18m, according to Devon County Council.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Our officers and engineering specialists have inspected the seawall in front of residential properties in Torcross. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

"Due to recent storm damage to the nearby road, we have additional flood messaging in place to inform and reassure the community, should it be needed.

"We are working closely with local authorities to manage the sea defences at Torcross and support recovery of the community."

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