This was Climping beach just west of Littlehampton 8 years ago

Note there was lots of shingle, enough to hide the groynes, but the shingle slowly disappeared over the years despite beach replenishment by the Environment Agency. This season's storm Brendan wrecked the groynes. Then along came Ciara and high tides and created a 300-yard breach. The trees in the distance are the same trees though the 9-year-old photograph was taken from further back, and the sea wall was at the same height as the point from where I took most of the photographs.

Even though there were no gales today, the waves were still crashing on the beach. The bank on the left is a temporary berm hurriedly being put in place.

The amount of shingle swept inland can be seen as the light area on the left, along with the bulldozer trying to put it back as that temporary berm

But the EA have got their work cut out trying to give any sort of protection against Dennis. The sea is still getting around the end of the berm, and it's all unconsolidated material. At least the tides will be lower for Dennis.

The sea didn't stop just inland but kept going for a further half mile. These fields are filled with seawater, and the Ferry Road  by these fields is still flooded enough for van drivers to have a bit of fun. Back on Monday the water was about 2 feet deeper and the west bank of Littlehampton was cut off, with cars stranded.

It was interesting that at the site of the breach there were still very large waves today - further along, while still rough, the waves were definitely smaller. Is/was there some extra deep water close inshore?

I take it it's salt water? But if it isn't your van does it really matter or perhaps the driver was unaware of salt water effects?

There was still a large swell with some impressive rollers when I went to a local beach recently and that was sheltered by the Bill.

My car parked well away from this. The speed that this van was travelling, I don't think the driver was a caring sort of person