Environment Agency warn of "extreme danger to life and property"

Severe flood warnings are in place on parts of the east coast of England, with the Environment Agency warning of "extreme danger to life and property".

A tidal surge caused by strong winds and low pressure is expected in the English Channel, reaching up to 9.5ft (2.89m) above normal sea levels.

Norfolk and Suffolk have six severe flood warnings. Parts of Kent have also been put on alert over the surge.
The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers are likely to be closed in London.
The flood alerts are a response to weather and tide patterns being tracked this week by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.

'Act now'
It has led to six severe flood warnings, five flood warnings and 19 flood watches nationally, concentrated on Norfolk, Suffolk and the north Kent coast.
The severe warnings in place between Winterton, Norfolk; and Aldeburgh, Suffolk; carry an Environment Agency alert stating: "Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now."
From the north Kent coast around to Sandwich and Deal, people are being asked to keep an eye on the weather and tides.
The impact there is expected to be less severe - with predicted tides 5ft (1.5m) above average - but there is still a risk of localised flooding.
The Environment Agency and Met Office will be constantly assessing the tidal and storm situation throughout Thursday evening and Friday morning.



BBC NEWS | England | Flooding 'may put lives at risk'

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Weather and tides likely to cause coastal flooding for eastern England

Forecasters at the Met Office are providing the Environment Agency with the very latest weather information, ahead of a predicted storm surge down the North Sea.
A combination of north-westerly winds exceeding 50 m.p.h., low pressure and high tides could lead to severe flooding in the east of England. Areas at greatest risk are the Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth including Lowestoft and Felixstowe.
People living in the affected areas should call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for the latest flood warnings in their area. For advice on how to prepare for flooding, tune into local radio and TV stations and keep an eye on local weather conditions.
Stewart Wortley, Head of Storm Tide Forecasting at the Met Office said: "the height of the surge we are expecting on Friday morning happens around once every 20 years or so. The gale force winds should ease during tomorrow."
Paul Woodcock, Environment Agency Regional Director said: "We are concerned that the current weather and tides could lead to flooding especially in the Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Broads area. We would like people to especially think about any vulnerable neighbours. If we do confirm the risk of flooding in your area later today, please consider how you could help them to prepare for flooding as well."
Flood warnings are updated every 15 minutes on the Environment Agency website which also contains help and advice on how to prepare for flooding.






Met Office: News release

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Things looking quite serious regarding these warnings.

Severe flood warnings are in place on parts of the east coast of England, with the Environment Agency warning of "extreme danger to life and property".
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned there was a serious flooding risk with strong winds and low pressure causing a North Sea tidal surge.

Norfolk and Suffolk have six severe flood warnings. Parts of Kent, Essex, North Yorks and Lincs are on alert.

The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers are set to be closed at 2000 GMT.

The flood alerts are a response to weather and tide patterns being tracked this week by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.

Wind speeds of about 50mph are predicted, with tide levels potentially reaching up to 9.5ft (2.89m) above normal sea levels.

The Met Office said the peak of the storm surge was expected to coincide with low tide, thereby mitigating some of the worst potential effects.

'Act now'

However there are six severe flood warnings, five flood warnings and 22 flood watches nationally, covering North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the north Kent coast.

The severe warnings in place from Great Yarmouth down to Shingle Street, and on parts of the River Bure and River Yare, carry an Environment Agency alert stating: "Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now."

Suffolk County Council said it was considering whether to order people in vulnerable areas to leave their homes because of possible flooding, while in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, sandbagging preparations were under way.

Localised flooding

From the north Kent coast around to Sandwich and Deal, people were being asked to keep an eye on the weather and tides.

The impact there is expected to be less severe - with predicted tides 5ft (1.5m) above average - but there is still a risk of localised flooding.

The Environment Agency warned that any cars parked at Sandwich Quay could be damaged, while emergency planners at Dover District Council are on alert.

"We all need to be vigilant," said the agency's Brian Vinall.

The Environment Agency, Met Office, emergency services and council planners will be constantly assessing the tidal and storm situation throughout Thursday evening and Friday morning.

BBC NEWS | England | Flooding 'may put lives at risk'

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Local news has said Scarborough is high risk area for flooding tonight at 03.30am ish.

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Severe flood warnings are in place on parts of the east coast of England, with the Environment Agency warning of "extreme danger to life and property".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was chairing an emergency Cobra meeting, as low pressure and strong winds combined to cause a North Sea tidal surge.

BBC NEWS | England | Flooding 'may put lives at risk'

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We can't stress this strongly enough.

This Tidal Surge combined with Strong Winds is Dangerous and is a Threat to Life and Property.

Act now !

People living in the affected areas should call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for the latest flood warnings in their area. For advice on how to prepare for flooding, tune into local radio and TV stations and keep an eye on local weather conditions.


This could be on the scale of the 1953 disaster which killed many people.

In 1953 "Large parts of East Anglia were left under water when high tides and a storm saw a tidal surge of 3.2m (10ft 6in)."

This tidal surge is expected to be in the region of 10ft.

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BBC NEWS | UK | The flood threat to England and Wales


The flood threat to England and Wales

Coastal areas face an increasing threat of flooding, according to environmentalists and other scientists.

The above map shows the areas of England and Wales considered by the Environment Agency to be susceptible to flooding.
It shows the extent to which those areas are likely to flood from overflowing rivers and exceptionally high seas if there were no defences in place.

Attached Thumbnails

     

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Wow that is awful stuff. Thanks for the map there TG. This is very serious.

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Here's what happened last time britain ignored the warning!!

Met Office: Great weather events: the UK east coast floods of 1953

compare the tide height then...with tonight predicted surge!!

YOU ARE RIGHT TO BE WORRIED KATE!!

I've found this article.... could tonight's event be the biggest embarrassment for Gordon Brown..... ?

Labour plans flood defence cuts as Britain flounders in the deluge - Times Online

From The Sunday Times
July 1, 2007
Labour plans flood defence cuts as Britain flounders in the deluge

Memo reveals Treasury pressure to save cash

Jonathan Leake Environment Editor

England's flood defence programme is facing funding cuts that could last until 2011, according to a memo sent by Environment Agency executives to senior staff last month.
The document, understood to have been prompted by demands from the Treasury, says flood defence plans might have to be pared back as the cuts take hold.
The memo, written despite high-level reports warning that Britain’s flood defences are in a parlous state, could prove deeply embarrassing to Gordon Brown’s new government.
It is already facing accusations of political paralysis over ministers’ initial failure to respond to last week’s disastrous floods, which left at least five people dead and thousands with flooded homes.
The memo was prompted by the government’s current comprehensive spending review, overseen by Brown while chancellor. It is not due to be formally published until the autumn but hints of what is in store are already sweeping Whitehall.




http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article2010203.ece


Click the above link for the full story.

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