A POPULAR holiday park has been wiped out by Storm Ciarán as static homes were ripped apart and guests forced to evacuate.
Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, in Dorset, descended into chaos this morning as holiday homes were dragged into the sea.
ANDREW LLOYDStorm Ciarán has wiped out a popular Dorset holiday park[/caption]
Emergency services raced to rescue holidaymakers after the alarm was raised at around 9.20am.
The busy campsite quickly became submerged as Storm Ciarán wreaked havoc with huge waves flooding the area.
A coastguard helicopter was seen circling in the air battling fierce gales as fire engines and ambulance services worked on the ground to bring people to safety.
As reported by Bridport News, it is understood five of the static homes were destroyed at the holiday park.
One guest, who narrowly escaped the carnage said: “We did get wet with a surge this morning near where the vans got damaged around half an hour later,
“My wellies needed emptying and I just hope no one is injured.”
They explained “plenty of stranded cars” are now scattered around the site after being propelled by wave surges.
Another witness described shocking scenes of firemen using poles to frantically check under debris and confirm no one had been caught or injured in the storm.
They also claimed several caravans had been pulled towards the sea.
A spokesperson for Freshwater Beach Holiday Park stated the park is closed “due to extreme damage”.
There is currently no date in sight to re-open but areas towards the park of the park are still operational.
It comes as…
More than 300 schools have been closed across the UK
Wind gusts officially reached 104mph in Jersey
Police on the Channel Islands said about 40 people have been evacuated from their homes due to fierce winds
The wild weather comes just two weeks after Storm Babet brought flooding with seven people killed
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) confirmed “significant flooding” had wiped out the grounds.
“Crews are working with partners from Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service, Dorset Council and the Coastguard to check on the welfare of all residents and evacuate where necessary,” they said.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard added: “HM Coastguard has been responding to an incident in the Freshwater Beach Holiday Park area this morning, November, 2.
“We were alerted at around 9.20am, Exmouth and West Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Coastguard helicopter from St Athan have been sent to assist, alongside Dorset Police and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.”
This comes as Storm Ciarán’s 104mph winds have left a “disaster zone” with huge “golf ball” hailstones battering the UK.
Another caravan park in Tenby, south Wales was also evacuated after it flooded this morning,
And, Brits across the south coast woke up to scenes of chaos with pupils from more than 300 schools forced to stay at home.
Trees have been ripped out, smashing through windows and doors, while emergency services have worked tireless to rescue families in flooded areas.
Meanwhile, around 16,000 households are dealing with power outages, an Energy Networks Association spokesman told The Sun.
The National Grid said that 8,500 homes in Cornwall were without powers as of this morning.
A major incident has been declared in Hampshire, Jersey and on the Isle of Wight as forecasters warn Storm Ciaran could pose a “risk to life”.
Jersey Police have recorded potentially killer winds of 104mph.
The storm has already left one person dead in France, where 1.2million homes are without power.
ANDREW LLOYDAround five static homes were completely destroyed in the flooding[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
