Thread: Tidal Flood Threat Forces Evacuation in England

Tidal Flood Threat Forces Evacuations

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Updated:00:20, Friday November 09, 2007

Hundreds of people are fleeing their homes ahead of a massive tidal surge that could lead to disastrous flooding along the east coast.
A flood expert told Sky News that, unless swift action is taken, "we could have a significant number of deaths".

Tidal surge could cause floodingEnvironment Secretary Hilary Benn told the House of Commons a surge "of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea, which could coincide with peak high tides".

The Environment Agency (EA) is predicting the highest water levels will hit Immingham, Humberside, at around 4.30am and the East Anglian coast along the Broads coast, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft between 7am and 8am.

Eight severe flood warnings have been announced across those areas. Evacuations and sandbagging were underway in Great Yarmouth.

There are a further 10 flood warnings of lesser severity and 25 flood watches across the region.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has chaired a meeting this evening of the Government's Cobra emergency response committee.

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Concerned homeowners have been advised to contact a prepared floodline (0845 988 118, 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."

Sky News weather presenter Francis Wilson said: "The highest surges will hit Rotterdam Friday morning.

"But some high waves are expected at the time of spring tide, Friday morning, along the Norfolk/Suffolk coast and probably into the Essex and Kent coasts."


The east coast is threatenedThe EA said the Dartford Creek and Thames barriers were due to close at about midnight for at least five hours, 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 their websites.




http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,, ... 55,00.html

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