It might be that you had a weevil infestation that was eating the roots but a tunneling creature, like a vole maybe, has found a great source of food and caused the soil disruption. If the roots have gone I always assume weevils and make sure to have plenty of good cuttings. The weevils can really hide up inside the remaining material though so be careful and check thoroughly.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Digging one of the loose ones up and checking the roots would be worth a try. If you do have an infestation you could wash soil away at the base of each one clear the area they are growing in and replant. You will need to be thorough.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Thank you @wild edges I will check again for weevils before I do anything. As far as I can see, those pieces don't have any roots at all. I'll check inside the dead materal and in the stems.
@GardenerSuze I will try digging some that are still attached but loose and check the root situation for weevils. I feel quite prepared now for finding them if they are there, won't be too much of a shock!
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