UNPRECEDENTED wind and high tides caused the worst damage to the south Devon coast seen for decades with Dawlish bearing the brunt at the eye of the storm and forcing the evacuation of about 20 homes.

Fifty six people had to be removed from properties along the coast when a 50ft section of the sea wall supporting the rail track was washed away.

The force of the fierce, pounding waves dragged away the supporting structure and infill, leaving a stretch of the track hanging flimsily in mid air.