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Tide fears recede as surge passes Tide fears recede as surge passes
(about 4 hours 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. Thousands of people who left their houses along the East Anglian coast have been allowed to return after the biggest tidal surge for half a century.
The Environment Agency said surge levels were expected to be nearly 8in (20cm) lower than originally feared. The high waters passed without causing major damage, reaching 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. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said it had been a "close run thing" but that the worst was now over.
In Suffolk, the sea threatened homes in Walberswick, while tides have passed the town of Lowestoft. The North Sea surge had been moving south during Friday, combining with high tides and strong winds to create flooding risks along the coast.
On Friday morning, the Thames barrier was put back up as a precaution against the high tide. 'All-clear'
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  • Residents in the north of Kent have been asked by the Environment Agency to remain vigilant, but there is not expected to be any risk to life or property.
  • The Environment Agency said the risks 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.
 Residents on the Kent coast had been told to remain vigilant due to high tides on Friday afternoon, but no major flooding was reported.
Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young said the worst appeared to be over. The Environment Agency (EA) said the surge had "lost its power" by Friday lunchtime and no problems had been being reported in the county as the high waters continued their way south.
Norfolk Police said water had breached flood defences in the centre of Great Yarmouth but there was "no risk to persons or property". The risks in the worst-hit areas in East Anglia, Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe and Lowestoft had passed, an EA spokesman added.
class="" href="/1/hi/england/norfolk/7086419.stm">Yarmouth braced for floods class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7086224.stm">Threat to England and Wales class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7086479.stm">Devastating tide of 1953 Areas on the Lincolnshire coast, around the Humber and in the North East of England have been given the all-clear.
Resident Mike Smith, who had been evacuated to Caister High School, said people were starting to hear good news in Great Yarmouth.
  • One of the worst hit coastal villages was Walcott, Norfolk, where water breached the seawall, causing damage to houses and blowing caravans and boats across the coast road.
  • Felixstowe docks are closed, and rail company One has suspended services between Lowestoft and Norwich due to flooding on the line.
  • Two roads into Great Yarmouth have reopened after being sealed off.
    • He said: "I've been talking to a policeman...and he said there's no houses which have actually been flooded at the moment." class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7086224.stm">Threat to England and Wales class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7086479.stm">Devastating tide of 1953
    Two roads into Great Yarmouth have reopened after being sealed off. Norfolk police said water had breached flood defences in the centre of Great Yarmouth but there was "no risk to persons or property".
    Carol Hodgkinson, who left her Great Yarmouth home with her family, told BBC News she had been apprehensive about leaving.
    But she added: "It's better to be safe than sorry."
    The Environment Agency said there was a risk of flooding later from a "tidal block" on the Norfolk rivers Bure, Yare and Waverey, which is caused by river water moving back out to sea, while high tides push sea water back into the rivers.
    Meanwhile, in Suffolk, waters peaked at Lowestoft at 0830 GMT and roads were flooded near the villages of Dunwich and Walberswick after sea defences were breached.
    And in London the Thames barrier was put back up on Friday morning as a precaution against the high tide, but the water is not expected to breach its defences.
    Water breached sea defences in Great Yarmouth
    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." Another Cobra meeting, chaired by Mr Benn, was due to be held later.
    Mr Brown said it was too early to say what damage had been caused. He told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the floods could have been much more damaging.
    "The important thing is that the national government stands ready to help local communities with any difficulties that arise," he added. "As far as East Anglia is concerned - Norfolk and Suffolk - it looks now as if the worst is over."
    He added: "It looks at the moment as if it's been a pretty close run thing - at Great Yarmouth, the Environment Agency say this has been the most significant event since the great storm of 1953."
    1953 tide1953 tide
    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).
    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 Storm surge boosts surfers Flood fears 'ignored'
    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.
    Water has breached sea defences in Great Yarmouth The Environment Agency has three severe flood warnings, six standard flood warnings and 17 flood watches in place, mainly in East Anglia, the north east of England and along the south coast.
    Environment 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.
    "We've just now got to wait and see what nature produces".
    The Environment Agency has four severe flood warnings, six standard flood warnings and 18 flood watches in place, mainly in East Anglia, the north east of England and along the south coast.
    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 class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7086396.stm">In pictures: flood fears class="" href="/1/hi/england/norfolk/7086620.stm">Storm surge boosts surfers class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7085783.stm">Flood fears 'ignored' Water levels in Great Yarmouth were the highest for 50 years.
    The Met Office added that it was predicting the highest tide since 1983 in Felixstowe, Suffolk, however the Environment Agency said it was "much better prepared now". Oil platforms have been closed off Norway, gales are expected in Germany and Denmark and flood defences have been put on alert along the entire coast of the Netherlands, where a giant surge barrier at Rotterdam has been closed for the first time since its construction in the 1990s.
    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.
    You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124.
    If you have a large file you can upload here.If you have a large file you can upload here.
    Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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