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Tide fears recede as surge passes Tide fears recede as surge passes
(40 minutes later)
Fears of widespread flooding in eastern England have diminished as tides peaked without major breaches of sea defences.Fears of widespread flooding in eastern England have diminished as tides peaked without major breaches of sea defences.
High water in the Norfolk town of Great Yarmouth passed without major damage being caused, and people have been told they can return to their homes.High water in the Norfolk town of Great Yarmouth passed without major damage being caused, and people have been told they can return to their homes.
The Environment Agency said surge levels were expected to be nearly 8in (20cm) lower than originally feared.The Environment Agency said surge levels were expected to be nearly 8in (20cm) lower than originally feared.
But residents living along the Kent coast have been told to remain vigilant as high tides are expected later.But residents living along the Kent coast have been told to remain vigilant as high tides are expected later.
In Suffolk, the sea has threatened homes in Walberswick, while tides are passing the town of Lowestoft.In Suffolk, the sea has threatened homes in Walberswick, while tides are passing the town of Lowestoft.
Water is also seeping underneath wooden sea defence gates in Felixstowe.Water is also seeping underneath wooden sea defence gates in Felixstowe.
Meanwhile, north Kent residents have been told to be vigilant.Meanwhile, north Kent residents have been told to be vigilant.
On Friday morning, the Thames Barrier was being closed as a precaution and the Thames has been declared all clear.
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  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the surge was due to hit the Kent coast at around 1030 GMT.
  • Residents in the north of the county have been asked by the Environment Agency to remain vigilant.
  • Those living along the Lincolnshire coast have been warned the surge could hit between 1500 GMT and 1900 GMT.
  • The Donna Nook, Saltfleet and Mablethorpe areas, as well as the salt marshes around The Wash, are all said to be vulnerable.
  • Dover District Council has warned that vehicles parked at Sandwich Quay are in danger of being damaged by floodwater.
  • Felixstowe docks are closed, and rail company One has suspended services between Lowestoft and Norwich due to flooding on the line.
  • Water levels were almost reaching the top of road bridges across the River Yare in Great Yarmouth, according to witnesses.
  • The coastguard at Happisburgh said flood waters have breached sea defences at Walcott in Norfolk.
 On Friday morning, the Thames barrier was put back up as a precaution against the high tide.
However, Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young said the worst appeared to be over.
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  • Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the surge was due to hit the Kent coast at around 1030 GMT.
  • Residents in the north of the county have been asked by the Environment Agency to remain vigilant, but there is not expected to be any risk to life or property.
  • Dover District Council warned that vehicles parked at Sandwich Quay were in danger of being damaged by floodwater.
  • The Environment Agency said the risk in the worst-hit areas, Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe and Lowestoft, had passed.
  • In Norfolk, the greatest risk of flooding comes from the tidal rivers Bure, Yare and Waverey, where levels may take time to drop.
  • Felixstowe docks are closed, and rail company One has suspended services between Lowestoft and Norwich due to flooding on the line.
  • The coastguard at Happisburgh said flood waters had breached sea defences at Walcott in Norfolk.
    • There     are not expected to be any serious problems in Lincolnshire and Humberside.
Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young said the worst appeared to be over.
Norfolk Police said water had breached flood defences in the centre of Great Yarmouth but there was "no risk to persons or property".Norfolk Police said water had breached flood defences in the centre of Great Yarmouth but there was "no risk to persons or property".
Yarmouth braced for floods Threat to England and Wales Resident Mike Smith, who has been evacuated to Caister High School, said people were starting to hear good news in Great Yarmouth. Yarmouth braced for floods Threat to England and Wales class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7086479.stm">Devastating tide of 1953
Resident Mike Smith, who has been evacuated to Caister High School, said people were starting to hear good news in Great Yarmouth.
He said: "I've been talking to a policeman...and he said there's no houses which have actually been flooded at the moment."He said: "I've been talking to a policeman...and he said there's no houses which have actually been flooded at the moment."
Two roads into Great Yarmouth have reopened after being sealed off.Two roads into Great Yarmouth have reopened after being sealed off.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired an emergency Cobra committee meeting at 0600 GMT on Friday.Prime Minister Gordon Brown chaired an emergency Cobra committee meeting at 0600 GMT on Friday.
Mr Brown said: "Our first priority is to ensure people are safe, that's why we are bringing in the helicopters, sandbags, the preparations that are absolutely necessary."Mr Brown said: "Our first priority is to ensure people are safe, that's why we are bringing in the helicopters, sandbags, the preparations that are absolutely necessary."
Mr Brown said it was too early to say what damage had been caused.Mr Brown said it was too early to say what damage had been caused.
"The important thing is that the national government stands ready to help local communities with any difficulties that arise," he added"The important thing is that the national government stands ready to help local communities with any difficulties that arise," he added
Phil Rothwell, head of flood policy at the Environment Agency, said the surge was about the same level as the devastating 1953 flood but that technology and sea defences had improved since then.Phil Rothwell, head of flood policy at the Environment Agency, said the surge was about the same level as the devastating 1953 flood but that technology and sea defences had improved since then.
He said: "It looks to be about 20cm lower than we originally thought, judging by what's happened slightly further north. However, that's still above the crest height of some of the sea defences."He said: "It looks to be about 20cm lower than we originally thought, judging by what's happened slightly further north. However, that's still above the crest height of some of the sea defences."
Tidal surgeTidal surge
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn advised people in the affected areas to keep up to date with information put out by the authoritiesEnvironment Secretary Hilary Benn advised people in the affected areas to keep up to date with information put out by the authorities
He said: "I know many people will be anxious about their homes and their property and what's going to happen but I think everything that can be done to prepare has been done.High tides have affected the east coast in places such as LowestoftHe said: "I know many people will be anxious about their homes and their property and what's going to happen but I think everything that can be done to prepare has been done.High tides have affected the east coast in places such as Lowestoft
"We've just now got to wait and see what nature produces"."We've just now got to wait and see what nature produces".
The Environment Agency has eight severe flood warnings,12 standard flood warnings and 23 flood watches in place, mainly in East Anglia, the north east of England and along the south coast. The Environment Agency has eight severe flood warnings,12 standard flood warnings and 24 flood watches in place, mainly in East Anglia, the north east of England and along the south coast.
BBC News environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee in Great Yarmouth said waters were about 6ins (15cm) from the top of flood defences.BBC News environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee in Great Yarmouth said waters were about 6ins (15cm) from the top of flood defences.
She said at Oulton Broad there had been some spillage over the defences but they had not been breached.She said at Oulton Broad there had been some spillage over the defences but they had not been breached.
Roads closedRoads closed
The flood alerts are a response to weather and tide patterns being tracked this week by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.The flood alerts are a response to weather and tide patterns being tracked this week by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.
FLOOD ALERTS EXPLAINED Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now!Flood Warning - Flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Act now! Flood Watch - Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected. Be aware, be prepared, watch out! Source: Environment Agency In pictures: flood fears href="/1/hi/uk/7085783.stm">Housing flood fear 'ignored' FLOOD ALERTS EXPLAINED Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now!Flood Warning - Flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Act now! Flood Watch - Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected. Be aware, be prepared, watch out! Source: Environment Agency In pictures: flood fears href="/1/hi/england/norfolk/7086620.stm">Storm surge boosts surfers class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7085783.stm">Flood fears 'ignored'
Ms Young said: "I hope our defences can cope but this is a pretty severe weather event and some of them may not."Ms Young said: "I hope our defences can cope but this is a pretty severe weather event and some of them may not."
She also suggested that people make checks on elderly relatives and neighbours.She also suggested that people make checks on elderly relatives and neighbours.
Large parts of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent were left under water in 1953, and 307 people died, when high tides and a storm saw a tidal surge of 3.2m (10ft 6in).Large parts of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent were left under water in 1953, and 307 people died, when high tides and a storm saw a tidal surge of 3.2m (10ft 6in).
The Environment Agency said it was "much better prepared now", but the Met Office added that it was predicting the highest tide since 1983 in Felixstowe, Suffolk.The Environment Agency said it was "much better prepared now", but the Met Office added that it was predicting the highest tide since 1983 in Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Flood defences have been put on alert along the entire coast of the Netherlands, oil platforms have been closed off Norway, and gales are expected in Germany and Denmark.Flood defences have been put on alert along the entire coast of the Netherlands, oil platforms have been closed off Norway, and gales are expected in Germany and Denmark.
For more information on flood risks call the Environment Agency's Floodline on 08459 881188.
For more information on flood risks call the Environment Agency's Floodline on 08459 881188.
Are you in one of the flood areas? How are you preparing? Please use the form below to contact us.Are you in one of the flood areas? How are you preparing? Please use the form below to contact us.
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