Properties in South West England Are Adapting to Stronger, More Frequent Storms

Two powerful storms recently hit the United Kingdom, causing serious damage across many parts of the country. Storms Austen and Boelo brought wind gusts of up to 85 miles per hour and heavy rain. In south-west England, places like historic National Trust properties and the famous Eden Project were forced to close or change their plans to keep people safe. Now, managers and local officials are thinking hard about how to protect their sites from future storms.

The storms caused widespread problems across the UK. Trees were knocked down, power was cut to thousands of homes, and public transport was cancelled in many areas. Sadly, a 60-year-old man named Richard Baines died in Scotland after a tree fell during the storms. In south-west England, leaders in tourism and local government said the weather has become harder to predict, and storms seem to be getting worse.

Several National Trust properties in Devon and Cornwall had to close during Storm Austen because it was not safe to stay open. Trees fell at Godolphin and Trengwainton Garden in Cornwall, and at Lydford Gorge in Devon. Part of the roof at Levant Mine near St Just in Cornwall was also damaged. Power cuts and fires were reported at some other National Trust sites as well.

Gareth Lay manages a group of National Trust properties in Cornwall, including Trelissick and Trerice. He said the damage from Storm Austen made things worse after Storm Goretti had already caused problems earlier in the year. His team is trying to learn from each storm so they can make their historic buildings stronger. However, Lay admitted there is only so much they can do to protect old buildings from powerful weather.

The Eden Project, a popular garden attraction built inside a former clay pit near St Austell, is also making changes. In the past, the site has experienced landslips, which is when soil and rock slide down a slope because of bad weather. Phil Young, a horticultural manager there, said they are planting trees with deeper roots to help hold the ground in place. He added that the team is planning far into the future to make sure the whole site can handle whatever weather comes its way.

East Devon District Council also dealt with problems during Storm Austen, including sand and pebbles being blown onto seafront promenades by the powerful winds. Councillor Geoff Jung said the council faces a 'double whammy' — meaning two big challenges at once — of preparing for both climate change and rising sea levels. A £21 million coastal defence project for the town of Sidmouth is being planned to help protect the area. Jung also noted that protecting this coastline is especially difficult because the Jurassic Coast, a world heritage site of global importance, runs through it.

Jung compared the Jurassic Coast to the Taj Mahal in India, saying that just as no one would cover that famous building in concrete to protect it, the council cannot simply use any method it likes on the Jurassic Coast. Any work done there requires careful planning and must meet many special rules. Despite these challenges, officials say they are determined to find ways to protect the region. The storms have made it clear that south-west England needs to keep adapting to a changing climate.