Tidal Flood Threat To East Coast

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A "major tidal surge" that could lead to disastrous flooding is threatening to hit the east coast over the next 48 hours.

 

Tidal surge could cause floodingA flood expert has told Sky News unless swift action is taken "we could have a significant number of deaths."

 

The Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said a surge "of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea".

 

Announcing the threat to the House of Commons, Mr Benn said the fierce wave "could coincide with peak high-tide".

 

"There is a risk of flood defences being toppled on the coast, particularly in East Anglia, the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth, including Lowestoft," he said.

 

Six severe flood warnings have been announced across the region, along with six further flood warnings of lesser severity and two flood watches.

 

Prime Minister Gordon Brown will chair 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."

 

 

Hilary Benn announced the threat"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 will close at about 8pm tonight to cope with the expected 5ft (1.5m) surge above normal sea levels.

 

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 theirs websites.

 

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