The story of a storm that left a trail of devastation on the Dorset coast, will be told in a free exhibition. 

It has been nearly 200 years since the Great Gale hit the south coast on the night of November 22, 1824, and 100 people were tragically killed.

The Environment Agency, Dorset Coast Forum and BCP Council are commemorating the anniversary with a free exhibition which will be held in venues across Portland, Lyme Regis, West Bay and Poole. 

It aims to alert people to the risks of extreme weather and flooding. 

Andrea Summers, Environment Agency flood and coastal risk manager for Wessex, said: “As we remember those who tragically lost their lives 200 years ago, this anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the devastating impact flooding can have on communities.

“Needless to say, we are much more resilient now than we were then, with major innovations in forecasting, warning and defence systems. But our climate is changing, sea levels are rising and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent.

"You should know your flood risk, sign up for flood warnings and make sure your homes and businesses are resilient to flooding.”

The storm raged for two days with gusts exceeding 100 mph, causing widespread damage. Houses were severely flooded, ships lost at sea and whole villages were destroyed. 

Personal stories and accounts from 1824 will be featured at the exhibition as well as reasons behind the storm, and how we can predict and prepare for possible similar future events.

The sea water breached the defences at Chesil Beach, which destroyed more than 80 houses in Chiswell and made many more uninhabitable. There were at least 25 people from Chiswell who tragically died in the storm. 

Chesil Cove seawall Chesil Cove seawall (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Alongside this exhibition, Dorset Coast Forum has been collaborating with Portland based arts company, B-side to host events on Portland from November 21 to 24 to commemorate those affected by the atrocity. 

The exhibition can be seen at Lyme Regis Jubilee Pavilion from November 1 to 5.

You can also catch it at the Edith Lyle Hall in Poole from November 7 to 9, West Bay Discovery Centre on November 16 to 17, with the final leg at Portland Community Venue in Underhill from November 21 to 24.