Dante
08-11-2007, 08:14 PM
A "major tidal surge" that could lead to disastrous flooding is threatening to hit the east coast.
A flood expert told Sky News unless swift action is taken "we could have a significant number of deaths", as evacuations from the areas at risk began.
Tidal surge could cause flooding
The Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the House of Commons a surge "of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea".
Environment Agency chief executive, Baroness Young, told Sky News: "A surge wave is expected between 7 and 8 o'clock tomorrow morning, with Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft likely to be the worst hit."
Eight severe flood warnings have been announced across East Anglia, the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth. Police evacuations have begun in the latter.
Norfolk Police Anne Campbell told Sky News: "We have taken the decision to evacuate some of the most honourable people in the Great Yarmouth area ahead of this expected high water early tomorrow morning."
There are a further 10 flood warnings of lesser severity and 24 flood watches across the region.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has chaired a meeting this evening of the Government's Cobra emergency response committee.
Concerned homeowners have been advised to contact a prepared floodline (0845 988 1188), to speak to postcode officials who will be using sophisticated mapping systems to assess individuals' danger levels.
Professor Philip Green of the Flood Hazard Research Centre told Sky News: "I would recommend that people living behind high defences, particularly in bungalows, do not go to sleep tonight and have you have checked the flood warnings."
Sky News weather presenter Francis Wilson said: "Some time in the small hours of tomorrow morning, exceptionally high waves in that area could cause the flooding the Environment Minister was talking about.
The east coast is threatened
"The highest surges will hit Rotterdam tomorrow morning. But some high waves are expected at the time of spring tide, tomorrow morning, along the Norfolk/Suffolk coast and probably into the Essex and Kent coasts."
The Environment Agency earlier announced that the Dartford Creek and Thames barriers was due to close at approximately 12pm tonight for at least five hours, to cope with the expected 5ft (1.5m) surge above normal sea levels.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1608993.jpg
In 1953, scores of people lost their lives to a similar tidal surge.
Prof Green said: "This is as bad, potentially as the flood in 1953, during which we had no warning system. We want to avoid those casualties."
:: A spokesman for the Environment Agency advised worried homeowners to call the floodline on 0845 988 1188.
:: Norfolk police authority and Suffolk police authority are both issuing updated flooding advice on their websites.
A flood expert told Sky News unless swift action is taken "we could have a significant number of deaths", as evacuations from the areas at risk began.
Tidal surge could cause flooding
The Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told the House of Commons a surge "of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea".
Environment Agency chief executive, Baroness Young, told Sky News: "A surge wave is expected between 7 and 8 o'clock tomorrow morning, with Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft likely to be the worst hit."
Eight severe flood warnings have been announced across East Anglia, the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth. Police evacuations have begun in the latter.
Norfolk Police Anne Campbell told Sky News: "We have taken the decision to evacuate some of the most honourable people in the Great Yarmouth area ahead of this expected high water early tomorrow morning."
There are a further 10 flood warnings of lesser severity and 24 flood watches across the region.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has chaired a meeting this evening of the Government's Cobra emergency response committee.
Concerned homeowners have been advised to contact a prepared floodline (0845 988 1188), to speak to postcode officials who will be using sophisticated mapping systems to assess individuals' danger levels.
Professor Philip Green of the Flood Hazard Research Centre told Sky News: "I would recommend that people living behind high defences, particularly in bungalows, do not go to sleep tonight and have you have checked the flood warnings."
Sky News weather presenter Francis Wilson said: "Some time in the small hours of tomorrow morning, exceptionally high waves in that area could cause the flooding the Environment Minister was talking about.
The east coast is threatened
"The highest surges will hit Rotterdam tomorrow morning. But some high waves are expected at the time of spring tide, tomorrow morning, along the Norfolk/Suffolk coast and probably into the Essex and Kent coasts."
The Environment Agency earlier announced that the Dartford Creek and Thames barriers was due to close at approximately 12pm tonight for at least five hours, to cope with the expected 5ft (1.5m) surge above normal sea levels.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1608993.jpg
In 1953, scores of people lost their lives to a similar tidal surge.
Prof Green said: "This is as bad, potentially as the flood in 1953, during which we had no warning system. We want to avoid those casualties."
:: A spokesman for the Environment Agency advised worried homeowners to call the floodline on 0845 988 1188.
:: Norfolk police authority and Suffolk police authority are both issuing updated flooding advice on their websites.