The sea defences at Cley were badly breached in 1742 , 1897 , 1953 and 1996 , with smaller incursions in 1993 and 1998 . The massive 1953 flood reached 8 km ( 4 mi ) inland at Cley . A 2 m ( 6 ft ) storm surge in December 2013 flooded much of the English east coast , and breached the shingle ridge at Cley , flooding the reserve and damaging or destroying the hides . Restoration of the reserve was assisted by Natural England , and the removal of salt was helped by natural freshwater springs . As of 2015 , the reserve was fully restored and functioning
1953 flood
North Sea flood of 1953
Cley Marshes