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Tidal wave heading for English Channel poses 'extreme danger to life'
Last updated at 20:19pm on 8th November 2007
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A three-metre tidal surge is predicted to surge down the English Channel in the next 12 hours posing an "extreme danger to life and property", experts have warned.
Coupled with storms and high tides, the wave could leave swathes of the east coast under water, according to the Environment Agency.
A combination of gale force winds off the coast of Scotland and high tides are expected to cause floods which could breach sea defences.
• Nine severe flood warnings issued by Environment Agency
• Surge expected to hit east coast in next 12 hours
• Police on standby to evacuate homes
• Dartford Creek and Thames barriers to close at 8pm
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thames barrier
The Thames Barrier will be closed at 8pm to protect against the tidal surge
The surge is expected to hit the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coastline from early tomorrow morning.
About 8,000 properties in Great Yarmouth and 1,800 in Lowestoft could be at risk.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called a special COBRA Cabinet Office meeting to coordinate an emergency reponse.
In a statement to the Commons tonight, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said police were on standby in the areas most likely to be affected to evacuate homes if necessary.
"A tidal surge of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea which could coincide with peak high-tides," he said.
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Braving the gale force winds: A man takes a stroll along Roker beach, in Sunderland
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We're warning people there's an extreme danger to life and property.
"There is a risk of flood defences being over-topped on the coast and in tidal rivers, especially in East Anglia, particularly the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth including Lowestoft, and areas south of this as far as the coast of Kent."
The spokesman likened the current conditions to those leading up to the floods of 1953. More than 300 people were killed when a surge from the North Sea flooded almost 100,000 hectares of eastern England.
"In 1953, there was a 3.2-metre surge and also high tides and a storm. It's comparable but we're much better prepared now," he said.
Nine severe weather warnings have been issued covering coastal areas from the north-east to Anglia.
The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers will close at about 8pm tonight to cope with the expected high water.
Water levels will rise and ebb with the tide, the spokesman said.
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1953 floods: More than 300 people were killed, including 58 in Canvey Island
Sea Pallling, Norfolk, in 1953
Devastation: The Environment Agency claims the wave could be nearly as high as the 3.2-metre surge that hit Sea Palling, Norfolk, in 1953
Along with the six severe flood warnings for the Anglia region, a further three flood warnings have been issued across the North East.
Residents along the Kent coast, from the north of the county to Sandwich and Deal, could also wake up to localised flooding. The Dover District Council has also been alerted.
The agency has asked the public to be vigilant and to watch weather and tide warnings from tonight until tomorrow night.
The spokesman said: "We would urge anyone who receives a flood warning to check that their neighbours are aware of the warning.
"We will also have Environment Agency staff out warning people if the risk of flooding does get worse."
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Floods Canvey Island 1953
Flooding: Great Yarmouth was hit in 1953
European forecasters today warned of high winds, extreme snowfall and avalanches.
Earlier today Dutch port authorities prepared to close Europe's largest harbour in Rotterdam to defend against predicted storm surges and winds of up to 60mph.
Gusts of up to 78mph were expected in Germany and Denmark and "extreme" amounts of fresh snow were forecast on the northern fringe of the Alps.
The Environment Agency is advising worried homeowners to call the floodline: 0845 988 1188.
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M Davies - our thoughts are with you all. We too are at risk, we just hope the defences will hold but being in Essex we hope that it won't be so bad down here. If it is as bad as '53 and the defences don't hold - well - God help us us. For all of us on the east coast this will be a night of concern. Lets pray that everyone hears the news in time and moves from dangerous spots and that the wind doesn't intensify.
- Anon, UK
It would seem to be three metres above LOW water.
Are we being had?
- Richard, Dunstable
Is this really true. Why were we not warned ?
- Mistery, Southampton