Trees were uprooted and expensive damage was caused to Burnham’s seafront illuminations on Thursday (January 18th) when the town bore the brunt of 75mph gales sweeping across the West Country.
Almost half of the town’s seafront illuminations were badly damaged during the gales, with only 20 of the 48 remaining undamaged at 6pm, according to the town council.
“It’s a real blow – the lights cost £30,000 when we bought them and we’re now investigating whether our insurance is going to cover it. Almost half have been damaged in some way,” said town councillor Neville Jones.
Several trees were also brought down in the area, including the one pictured above outside a house at Berrow. Also, the billboards next to the Highbridge Hotel also fell victim to the storm, with both falling onto the A38.
A whole street lighting column was brought down on the Esplanade at the top of Cross Street, leaving police with no option but to briefly close the seafront to traffic for safety reasons.
And John St South in the centre of town was also closed after falling roof tiles and damaged guttering threatened pedestrians below.
Earlier, large waves had crashed onto the town’s sea wall at the height of the 6am morning tide, sending spray across the seafront in several places.
Fortunately, the 9.9 metre tide was not high enough to threaten any flooding. Burnham’s storm-damaged jetty also took another battering, although early indications were that it had not sustained any further damage.
.Winds topple over lorry on the M5 near Burnham
A heavy goods vehicle toppled over in the winds on the M5 motorway between Burnham-On-Sea and Pawlett at 12.30pm.
Fire crews from Burnham-On-Sea and Weston-super-Mare rushed to the scene (pictured right) along with police, paramedics and Highways Agency staff.
The male driver of the vehicle was given treatment at the scene by ambulance staff for what are believed to be minor injuries.
.Flags ripped to shreds on Burnham-On-Sea Pier
Flags on Burnham’s pier were ripped to shreds during the storms, as pictured here.
The pier’s Louise Parkin said: “Unfortunately due to health and safety regulations we cannot send just anyone up there to change the flags.”
“The daredevil who normally does it for us is on holiday until February. Be assured that when he does arrive back, weather permitting, we will have them changed as soon as possible. We take great pride in flying the St George and Union Flags.”
Photos: Burnham-On-Sea.com / Roy Wallis / Chris Gammon
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