How a hurricane created a 'precious saltmarsh'

Thirty years ago, Hurricane Lili dramatically reshaped the coastline of Porlock Bay in Somerset, creating a salt marsh that has since become an important natural habitat. The hurricane’s powerful storm breached the shingle ridge by about 90 metres, flattening old stone walls and allowing the area to evolve naturally into a salt marsh. Initially met with pressure to restore the shoreline, the site instead was left to develop on its own, eventually establishing a valuable ecosystem. Nigel Hester, the National Trust countryside manager at the time, emphasized that the event highlighted the need to consider climate change and adapt coastal management strategies accordingly. The creation of the salt marsh became a national example of working with natural processes rather than resisting them, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to rising sea levels and increased storm activity. Porlock historian Jeff Cox, who curated a new exhibition on the marsh’s 30-year history, described the Porlock ridge as the longest natural barrier of its kind on Britain’s west coast and a critical test case for environmental policy. The exhibition, held at Dovory Manor Museum in Porlock until October, aims to raise public awareness about the ecological and environmental significance of the salt marsh. It showcases how the area transformed from a storm-damaged shoreline into a precious habitat supporting diverse vegetation and wildlife. The salt marsh stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptation in the face of climate challenges, offering insights into sustainable coastal management for the future.