Storm-hit communities in Devon, Cornwall and Channel Islands still recovering after wet and windy winter

Summary

BBC South West has spent the day talking to experts and the communities affected by extreme weather in recent months
After a wet and windy winter for the south-west of England and the Channel Islands, many communities are still recovering
People in storm-hit Torcross say they are on the front line and have been described as the "canary in the coal mine" - a test case for vulnerable communities in a changing climate
One Torcross homeowner believes his house "might not survive another winter" as the sea causes it to "shake for hours"
In Cornwall, a couple whose house was badly damaged by a falling tree say repairs will take a year
Following a stormy battering a businessman in Devon has spent £300,000 to protect a clifftop bar
Trees are "more vulnerable" across the region after the series of storms
On Thursday, BBC Spotlight was live from Torcross in Devon, which saw the A379 coastal road partly washed away

Live Reporting

Edited by Eve Watson & Chris Ellis

Your Voice: Your weather questions answeredpublished at 09:31 GMT 19 March
Climate change
David Braine
Weather Forecaster

Image source, PA Media
Mike Vinnicombe, from Devon, asks:
Quote Message
How has climate change actually changed the ‘typical’ southwest weather patterns over the last couple of decades - things like more intense Atlantic storms, drier springs, or shifts in mizzle frequency - and what do you think we’ll notice most in the coming 10–20 years?
Answer:
Hi Mike, climate change (global warming) has changed the weather in the South West quite significantly in the last 50 years.
For every 1C (33.8F) rise in temperature the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, 2C (35.6F) and its 14% more.
We are now warmer through all of our seasons so rainfall events are going to continue to be more intense, summer heatwaves more likely, and storms more violent since a warmer atmosphere has more energy.
Frosts may well become a thing of the past, winters will be milder and wetter, summers drier and hotter but when summer rainfall events occur they are likely to bring torrential downpours.
Couple stay in hotel after tree hits homepublished at 09:16 GMT 19 March

Cath Mills, 86, knows all about the impact of the January storms.
She and husband Harold, 84, had to leave their flat in Camborne, Cornwall after a massive tree fell on it during Storm Goretti.
The couple had to live in their local Wetherspoon hotel for three months, but they've just moved into a bungalow while work continues to repair their home.
Hear their story with James Churchfield at Breakfast on BBC Radio Cornwall until 10:00 or listen back here.

Weather issues for builderspublished at 09:00 GMT 19 March
Kate Jennings
Jersey

The wettest February on record and winter storms have added to the challenges facing Jersey's builders, according to an industry representative.
Mike Osborne, chair of the Chamber of Commerce's Building, Housing and Environment Committee, says: "The weather has been against us, but the real impact is that there isn't enough work for the industry."
Jersey Met's Senior Forecaster Matt Winter said 180mm (7 inches) of rain fell in Jersey last month, which is double the normal amount.
Osborne says the rain made it difficult for those operating on building sites in what was already a challenging economic environment.
Ask weather presenter David Braine your questionspublished at 08:46 GMT 19 March

BBC South West’s meteorologist David Braine will be answering your weather-related questions when he joins Caroline Densley on BBC Radio Devon Daytimes from 10:00.
You can also send questions to David using the Your Voice form on the BBC news app.
Caroline Densley will be talking to Martin Davies, a coastal advisor with the Environment Agency in Devon.
You can listen on BBC Radio Devon here.

Today's weather forecast for south-west England and Channel Islandspublished at 08:31 GMT 19 March
Linda Ludlow
Weather forecaster

High pressure continues to dominate the country, giving us plenty of dry, settled and sunny weather across the south-west of England.
After a chilly start we'll see temperatures reaching highs of 14 to 15C (57.2 to 59F), with a slight to moderate easterly wind, feeling more breezy across the south coast and the Channel Islands with gusts occasionally fresh this morning.
A great day to dry the washing! Take care in the sunshine though, as the UV is now moderate and a cooler wind can sometimes be deceiving to the actual temperature we feel.
Video shows historic pier after it washes awaypublished at 08:22 GMT 19 March

Part of Teignmouth's historic pier washed away after wild waves brought by Storm Ingrid in January lashed the Devon seaside resort.

Your weather pictures in Cornwallpublished at 08:19 GMT 19 March

While rain has been a common sight this year there have also been some beautiful moments, as seen in this selection of images sent in by BBC Weather Watchers in Cornwall.
Image source, Weather Watchers/Gilly Gabben
Image caption,
The Northern Lights lit up the night sky in January
Image source, Weather Watchers/Jacqueline1900
Image caption,
A rainbow was seen over Bude Sea Pool
Image source, Weather Watchers/Jane Lewarne
Image caption,
Windy weather churned up the sea in Portscatho
Image source, Weather Watchers/Mousehole Pat
Image caption,
A sunset created a stunning orange sky over the sea Mousehole
How winter storms wreaked havoc - a quick recappublished at 08:15 GMT 19 March

Image source, Richard Heiron
The region was badly hit by a series of named storms in January and February.
Key dates:
- 8-9 January: Storm Goretti, the first named storm of the year, saw a rare "danger to life" warning, external issued as winds gusted up to 99mph (159km/h). A man in his 50s died after a tree fell on to a caravan. Thousands of trees fell down while power and internet services took a long time to return for some.
- 24 January: Part of a historic pier washed away and a sea wall next to a rail line crumbled after Storm Ingrid brought wild waves to south Devon. A "significant" number of debris had to be cleaned up from the rail line at Dawlish, disrupting services, and part of Teignmouth Grand Pier broke apart. The village of Torcross saw waves crashing over homes.
- 27 January: Storm Chandra brought flooding to east Devon and saw the River Otter in St Mary reach its highest level on record. Dozens of schools had to close and several people were rescued from cars.
- 3 February: A coastal road in a Devon beauty spot washed away after the run of bad weather. The A379 Slapton Line, a key link between Torcross and Slapton, broke apart after sea defences were damaged by storms.

Good morningpublished at 08:08 GMT 19 March

From powerful winter storms, wildfires, a changing coastline, to marine heatwaves and an octopus bloom, the weather affects us all.
We're kicking off coverage across online, radio and TV exploring how the weather is changing in the south-west of England and the Channel Islands.
As part of a day of coverage we'll be hearing from experts and visiting the communities affected by extreme weather in recent months.
We'd also like to hear from you and broadcast meteorologist David Braine is on hand to answer your questions on the topic.