Clean-up after Storm Pierrick causes damage across Cornwall

Clean-ups have going on along the Cornwall coast in the wake of Storm Pierrick.

The storm, which brought winds of 65mph (104 km/h) and torrential rain, sent beach huts into the sea in Falmouth.

On Tuesday morning, an army of volunteers wielding shovels and wheelbarrows got stuck in to clear the debris.

Falmouth cafe boss Emily Davidson lost three beach huts, tables and benches.

She said she was alerted to the severity of the storm at about 18:00 BST on Monday after seeing a video of "the beach huts being dragged into the sea".

"I'm kind of in shock, but also relieved that it was not worse," she said.

"There is so much support and care from other people it feels like they've got my back."

She said she hoped to be "back up and running in no time".

Cafe landlord Jonny Fine said: "We've been absolutely amazed by the amount of people have come down with their own shovels and their own wheelbarrows.

"They have just worked non-stop and it is amazing."

LISTEN: BBC Radio Cornwall hears how coastal communities coped with Storm Pierrick

A yellow warning for wind was in place across the South West until 06:00 on Tuesday about the storm named Pierrick by Meteofrance.

Ms Davidson said she was "up all night with the adrenaline" of how she was going to find the cafe but was "so relieved" it remained intact.

She said: "It's already been a difficult start to the season for a lot of businesses in Cornwall. We've had the Easter holidays early with really poor weather.

"It's almost like one step forward two steps back at the moment, but, yes, I am optimistic."

Ms Davidson said the diving school next to her cafe had been "completely destroyed" but the owners' diving equipment was safely locked away in another unit.

Eight flood alerts remain in place on both the north and south coast.

Dave Clarke, from the Kernow Weather Team, said he had received reports of "people losing parts of their roof" and other damage overnight.

He said: "We've had so many reports of people losing parts of their roof, most of their roof, windows blown in, sheds ripped apart; all sorts of damage."

Porthleven's sea wall was damaged on Monday, with debris strewn across Harbour Road.

BBC Cornwall reporter Hannah Stacey, who was at the Headland Hotel in Newquay, said the wind was so strong "you can't stand up".

She said: "The white water, it's not just white horses, it's a whole cavalry of white water coming into Fistral this morning."

Holidaymakers Harriet and Nancy, from Cheshire, said it was "the worst wind we've ever experienced".

Harriet said: "We could hardly walk along the street up there.

"The sea looks amazing, but we can't get in. It's quite stunning, even though it is intimidating."

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