15 towns being slowly swallowed by the sea – Coastal communities fighting a losing battle with the ocean
4 March 2020 (Love Property) – Positioned on the frontline of climate change, the world’s most vulnerable shoreline communities face an uncertain future. Plagued by ever-worsening coastal erosion and rising sea levels, their existence hangs precariously in the balance. As the tide continues to draw in, take a look at 15 towns being gradually reclaimed by the ocean.
Skipsea, East Yorkshire, UK
Another village on England’s east coast that is enduring alarming erosion, Skipsea in East Yorkshire could very well be erased from the map in the not so distant future. The sea is chomping away at the village’s soft clay soils, hastened by climate change.
Around 13 feet of coastline is being lost every year and during the past two decades, approximately half a mile of land has gone, according to local residents. Entire streets have disappeared along with the homes that once stood on them, and many more houses are at risk.
A recent council report has warned that 24 homes in the village are at imminent risk of collapsing into the sea. Existing defences are said to be inadequate, so it seems unlikely these homes will be saved. Sadly, Skipsea’s days appear to be numbered.
Collaroy, New South Wales, Australia
A magnet for surfers, the iconic Collaroy Beach in the northern Sydney suburb of the same name is one of Australia’s most at-risk coastal areas. Though wild storms have destroyed homes in Collaroy since the suburb was established, climate change is increasing their frequency and intensity, exacerbating coastal erosion.
The worst storm of recent years hit in June 2016. Towering waves whipped up by strong winds pounded the shoreline, smashing up beachfront homes and infrastructure. The storm coincided with a severely high ‘king tide’ that magnified its effects. All in all, 164 feet of coastline vanished.
Collaroy was subjected to another major storm in February 2020. Again, the storm coincided with abnormally high tides and created huge waves. This time, around 80 feet of beach was swept away, though the majority of homes along the shoreline escaped serious damage. [more]
