Dead seal found dumped on pub doorstep - two days after storm surge hit north Norfolk

Cley visitor centre escaped any damage but its bottom car park was flooded and the neighbouring access road remained partially blocked by flooding and sea debris. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

Communities along the coast were struggling to get life back to normal this week after being hit by one of the worst storm surges in recent times.

The villages of Cley and Salthouse were still partially cut-off this afternoon (Sunday) - two days after the deluge - as the main A149 Coast Road remained blocked in places by flood water and debris dumped by the sea.

However, it was at the county's oldest nature reserve, which sits between the two communities, where the impact was felt the most.

Cley Marshes, a bird breeding sanctuary managed by Norfolk Wildlife Trust, suffered what it described as 'severe flooding' during the assault by the sea - which led to the evacuation of homes and businesses across the area.

This seal was found dumped by the sea next to the Dun Cow pub in Salthouse on the opposite side of the road - hundreds of yards from the sea. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

While there was no sign of any damage to the visitor centre, the bottom car park remained under water and the special habitat which had become a sanctuary for wildlife had turned into an animal graveyard.

Birds, hares, mice and other creatures unable to escape the storm littered the site this weekend. And those that were left could be heard calling for food and lost friends.

Some pathways were destroyed, others cut off.

And, this afternoon, a seal was found dead next to the Dun Cow pub in Salthouse, on the opposite side of the A149 to the sea and several hundreds metres from the beach - two days after the worst weather hit.

The Dun Cow pub in Salthouse used beer barrels to block the path of the rising water. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

Daniel Goff, who runs the bar, said: 'It's not quite as bad as last time (storm surge of December 2013).

'As far as I'm aware, none of the houses here got flooded. Almost all the buildings on the other side of the green in 2013 were. We, fortunately, weren't then and certainly weren't this time.

'But, as far as I know, everybody was safe and nobody got wet.'

The reserve, which attracts thousands of visitors to north Norfolk throughout the year, is currently closed and the public is being advised to stay away until further notice.

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

Norfolk Wildlife Trust staff, who were able to look around the site today, say the final death toll is impossible to predict while much of the site remains under water.

However, it is hoped to reopen the visitor centre as soon as the Coast Road is cleared.

Brendan Joyce, CEO of NWT, said: 'Once we can regain access to the site, a clean-up operation will commence and we will be able to better assess the effects on wildlife and damage to fences, paths, hides and other infrastructure.

'We have been here before so we have an inkling of what to expect. Whilst there will be a lot to do to recover the site, I am confident that we will once again bounce back and have Cley and Salthouse in shape again soon for wildlife and visitors.'

This hare couldn't outrun the sea and was found next to a road sign near Cley visitor centre. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

Visitors are being asked to check the Trust's website www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk for further updates.

This hare couldn't outrun the sea and was found next to a road sign near Cley visitor centre. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

Cley visitor centre escaped any damage but its bottom car park was flooded and the neighbouring access road remained blocked by flood water and sea debris. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

Swans swim on the normally busy A149 Coast Road in Salthouse on Sunday. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

A Salthouse resident struggles to walk along the A149 Coast Road which is caked in debris dumped by the sea. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

This couple were preparing to dig their way out of Salthouse. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The A149 Coast Road in Salthouse is almost recognisable two days after the debris. Caked in debris dumped by the sea, the road sign aptly warns of ducks crossing. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The Coast Road between Cley and Salthouse, pictured, remained closed due to flooding and debris on the road. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)

The communities of Salthouse and Cley were trying to get back to normal this week after Friday's storm surge. But it is only now, two days after the deluge, that the impact on local wlidlife is emerging. Picture: ALLY McGILVRAY (Image: Archant)