The issue as I understand it is that the jet stream is currently hitting the UK directly at high speed, normally at this time of year it is heading down over the bay of Biscay, which is why this winter is comparatively warm. In the Summer the jet stream heads north over the top of Scotland. The current situation has resulted in storms, which i understand to be or a similar intensity to that which we normally experience, however it is the frequency that is currently the issue. These events re not unique, in 1919 something like a third of the Somerset levels was flooded and we are currently not close to that sort of level yet.
Whether you believe that the human race is responsible for changing the weather, personally I think we are bigging our selves up that we can affect our environment that much, the fact remains that our weather has changed and evolved since the our planet was formed and will continue to do so and likewise we will continue to evolve to live on our ever changing planet.
Gosh that was a it deep and philosophical for a Sunday morning entry to a discussion about them Dawlish sea wall!
Hats off to everybody battling the elements wherever you are!