This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7086280.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
High tides put pressure on coast High tides put pressure on coast
(30 minutes later)
Parts of Great Yarmouth are seeing some flooding as the highest tides for 50 years threaten the east of England. Parts of Great Yarmouth have seen some flooding as the highest tides for 50 years threaten the east of England.
Thousands of people have been evacuated, roads into the Norfolk town have been closed, and the road at South Quay is reportedly flooded. Thousands of people in East Anglia were forced to leave their homes. Roads into the Norfolk town were closed.
The Environment Agency said surge levels were expected to be nearly 8in (20cm) lower than originally feared. An Environment Agency spokesman said the main tidal peak in East Anglia had occurred and the risk of flooding has now "diminished".
In Suffolk, the sea has nearly reached houses in Walberswick, while the surge is passing the town of Lowestoft. The agency said surge levels were expected to be nearly 8in (20cm) lower than originally feared.
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 raised and the Thames has been declared all clear. On Friday morning, the Thames Barrier was being closed as a precaution and the Thames has been declared all clear.
    class="bulletList">
  • 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.
I hope our defences can cope but this is a pretty severe weather event and some of them may not Baroness Young Environment Agency Benn urges calm over surge Threat to England and Wales
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.
However, Environment Agency chief executive Baroness Young said the worst appeared to be over.However, 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".
I hope our defences can cope but this is a pretty severe weather event and some of them may not Baroness Young Environment Agency Benn urges calm over surge 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.
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.
Government readyGovernment ready
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, sand bags, 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."
High tides have affected the east coast in places such as Lowestoft
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 people," 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.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"."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 23 flood watches in place, mainly in East Anglia, the north east of England and along the south coast.
In the Humber region, lifeboat crews are on standby and the Environment Agency issued a flood watch along the Humber Estuary.
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 so far. She said at Oulton Broad there had been some spillage over the defences but they had not been breached.
Environment Agency was very worried that sea defences would be breached, our correspondent added.
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 Surge residents 'helpless' 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 Surge residents 'helpless' Housing flood fear 'ignored'
Environment Agency chief executive Baroness 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.
Speaking from one of the evacuation centres set up, the Marina Centre in Great Yarmouth, general manager Wayne Dixon said they had taken in more than 400 people and were now "over capacity".
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.
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.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
 Name