Dramatic aerial footage has revealed the extensive devastation inflicted upon a cherished 150-year-old Victorian pier, which was violently torn apart by the relentless onslaught of Storm Ingrid. The historic Teignmouth Grand Pier in Devon now lies in pieces, having endured a brutal two-day battering from exceptionally high winds and colossal waves.
A Structure Shattered by the Storm
Images captured from above the popular seaside attraction show entire sections of the pier's end severed from the main boardwalk, now adrift in the turbulent sea. Further along the structure, the force of the storm has dislodged numerous wooden panels, leaving dangerous, gaping holes along its length. The 700-foot pier, originally constructed in 1865 and opened to the public in 1867, has long been a centrepiece for holidaymakers visiting the Devon coast.
History of Resilience and Recent Vulnerability
This is not the first time the pier has faced nature's fury. Remarkably, it even survived the Second World War, when a section was deliberately removed as a defensive measure to prevent potential use by invading German troops. However, in recent decades, storms have repeatedly taken their toll. Significant damage occurred in 2014, leading to the installation of armoured steel reinforcements in a bid to prevent future collapse. These measures ultimately proved insufficient, with further storms in 2020 causing additional harm to the privately-owned structure.
Teignmouth Mayor, Councillor Cate Williams, expressed profound sadness at the sight of the destruction. "It's sad to see parts of the pier destroyed after it had taken a real battering," she stated. Councillor Williams noted the pier was already in a poor state of repair, having withstood previous storms and world wars. "It has lost part of the pier structure itself, that has dissolved and gone away into the sea," she told the BBC. "It's an old pier and it was needing some attention. I suppose age and wear and tear has taken its toll."
Met Office Issues Further Severe Weather Warnings
As communities assess the damage, forecasters have issued stern warnings that more wild weather is imminent. The Met Office has activated a yellow weather warning for heavy rain across southwest England and south Wales, effective from 3pm on Monday until 12pm on Tuesday. A separate yellow warning is also in place for Northern Ireland from midday until 6pm on Monday and again between 2am and 9pm on Tuesday.
Potential for Flooding and Hill Snow
The national weather service warns that a deep area of low pressure will bring another spell of very wet and windy conditions later on Monday and into Tuesday. Gusty winds are expected in exposed locations, and the additional heavy rain poses a serious flooding risk for areas already saturated from recent persistent downpours. Furthermore, colder air lingering in the north means hill snow remains a possibility on the northern fringes of the weather system, particularly in some parts of Scotland.
Met Office Chief Forecaster, Steve Willington, emphasised the ongoing unsettled pattern. "Unsettled conditions will continue through the week, with a combination of rain, brisk winds and some further hill snow, particularly in northern areas where colder air remains in place," he said. "While many areas will see typical late January conditions, there is enhanced potential for some impactful weather on Monday night into Tuesday. We encourage people to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as details evolve."
The destruction of the Teignmouth Grand Pier serves as a stark reminder of the powerful forces of nature as the UK braces for further turbulent weather in the days ahead.
