Part of sea wall at Barry Island knocked down by storm surge

High waves damaged the number six sea wall at Whitmore Bay during Storm Kathleen. 

The section of wall was corned off after a part collapsed. At the time, Barry Dock RNLI issued a warning for people visiting the coast to stay back from the waves.

The 102-year-old wall is essential to probably one of Barry's biggest tourist destinations.

Tens of thousands of people flock to Barry every year to enjoy the beach at Whitmore Bay and the stunning scenery round the bay. 

Damage to the sea wall at Barry Island. Picture: Visit Barry Island (Image: Visit Barry Island)

A section of the sea wall at Barry Island is corned off due to damage from high waves. Picture: Visit Barry Island (Image: Visit Barry Island)

Storm Kathleen brought up to 70mph wind and rain to the Vale which saw high winds batter the coast. 

The Met Office issued a yellow wind and rain warning on Saturday, April 6.

No storm season has ever got beyond the letter K, yet.

The UK saw storm Agnes in September 2023, Babet in October, Ciaran and Debi in November, Elin, Fergus and Gerrit in December, Henk, Isha and Jocelyn in January 2024, and now Kathleen in April.

The sea wall had crumbled due to high waves in Barry Island. Picture: Visit Barry Island (Image: Visit Barry Island)

Storm names remaining to be allocated  for the current season are Lilian, Minnie, Nicholas, Olga, Piet, Regina, Stuart, Tamiko, Vincent and Walid.

For Kathleen, high winds saw dozens of flights to and from airports cancelled, roofs damaged, trees knocked down and ferry trips cancelled.