It was initially hoped that the line would only be closed for a short time but further storms prevented work to repair the railway. On the morning of 5 February the hole exposed railway track were reassessed. Prime Minister David Cameron chaired a Cobra meeting and announced an extra £100m for flood works over the year while insisting that everything possible was being done to get "stricken" communities moving again. The Department for Transport said the "most pressing issue" was to get the line up and running as soon as possible, "but equally it is clear it is important we look at the long term as well". Powerful waves caused further damage to the track, sea wall and Dawlish station on 6 February. Adrian Sanders, the MP for Torbay, said the loss of the main line was "a disaster" and called on the Transport Secretary to intervene. John Clatworthy, Devon county councillor for Dawlish, speaking on 10 February said that "The storm last night was unbelievable. It is not just Dawlish that is affected, this railway line is to Plymouth, the naval bases, Cornwall – it is a lifeline".