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Flooding threat as winter storms set to continue Storm surge flood threat to coastal areas in UK
(35 minutes later)
Parts of eastern England are preparing for possible flooding, as winter storms are due to hit much of the UK later. Severe flood warnings are in place along the eastern coast of England, amid fears homes and properties are at risk from a three-metre storm surge.
Coastal areas in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are braced for large waves and a possible storm surge, with some urged to evacuate their homes. The Environment Agency has issued 16 severe flood warnings - meaning danger to life - for the lunchtime high tide at 12:30 GMT and Friday night.
The Met Office has also issued severe weather warnings covering much of the UK for combinations of high winds, snow and ice on Friday. People have been urged to leave their homes, including in Jaywick, Essex, where an evacuation is under way.
Early wintry showers could disrupt rush-hour travel on Friday morning. It comes as the Met Office has warned of high winds, snow and ice on Friday.
In Scotland, where heavy snow caused road closures on Thursday, a small number of schools are likely to stay closed and further disruption is expected as the Met Office warns of up to 20cm (8in) of snow. The Environment Agency's severe flood warnings - its highest possible alert - are in place for coastal areas of Essex and Suffolk.
The Environment Agency's has several severe flood warnings - which warn of a danger to life - in place for Friday lunchtime in coastal areas of Essex and Suffolk. There is a risk of "significant" flooding in some areas from the lunchtime high tide, which is expected at about 12:30 GMT, with further warnings issued in Suffolk from 21:45 GMT.
The agency had seven in place overnight and issued more on Friday morning. Dozens more flood warnings have been issued along the east coast, which is braced for a storm surge which is brought on by gale-force winds and high tides.
The risk of "significant" flooding comes from the lunchtime high tide, expected at about 12:30 GMT, it has said. Army of standby
Dozens more flood warnings have been imposed along the east coast as it braces itself for a storm surge caused by gale-force winds and high tides. Emergency services have initiated an evacuation plan in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, with police officers going door-to-door to inform residents.
Volunteers from the British Red Cross were "ready to respond" in the area on Thursday night. Leaflets warned households their properties "could be flooded by sea water up to a depth of three metres".
Emergency services were putting an evacuation plan into action in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, with police officers going door-to-door to inform residents of the evacuation beginning at 07:00 GMT on Friday.
Leaflets warned residents their properties "could be flooded by sea water up to a depth of three metres".
'Dangerous waves'
The Ministry of Defence said about 100 soldiers from the Catterick army base had been deployed to Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast, where about 3,000 residents have been urged to leave their homes or move upstairs.The Ministry of Defence said about 100 soldiers from the Catterick army base had been deployed to Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast, where about 3,000 residents have been urged to leave their homes or move upstairs.
Elsewhere, Suffolk Police said specific areas of the coast had been identified as being at high risk of flooding - taking in around 1,100 properties which are likely to be evacuated. Elsewhere, Suffolk Police said specific areas of the coast had been identified as being at high risk of flooding - taking in around 1,100 properties, which it said are likely to be evacuated.
The morning high tide passed Scarborough, Bridlington, Hull and Skegness without incident. The Environment Agency said it was an "improving picture" but urged caution.
In Lincolnshire, the Army remains on standby, while several schools will are closed.
Mark Sitton-Kent, national duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Gale-force winds and high tides are likely to create large and dangerous waves along parts of the east coast on Friday and Saturday.Mark Sitton-Kent, national duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Gale-force winds and high tides are likely to create large and dangerous waves along parts of the east coast on Friday and Saturday.
"These conditions could also cause flooding to coastal roads and could impact properties.""These conditions could also cause flooding to coastal roads and could impact properties."
Mr Sitton-Kent urged the public not to put themselves at risk by driving through flood water or taking pictures.Mr Sitton-Kent urged the public not to put themselves at risk by driving through flood water or taking pictures.
The Army is on standby to assist if needed and tidal gates on the east coast have been closed ahead of the high tides.
Floods minister Therese Coffey said: "Our absolute priority is protecting lives, homes and businesses from the threat of coastal flooding currently facing the east coast."Floods minister Therese Coffey said: "Our absolute priority is protecting lives, homes and businesses from the threat of coastal flooding currently facing the east coast."
It follows wintery weather on Thursday across large parts of the UK.
In Scotland, where heavy snow caused road closures on Thursday, a small number of schools are likely to stay closed and further disruption is expected as the Met Office warns of up to 20cm (8in) of snow.
What is a storm surge?What is a storm surge?
A storm surge is a change in sea level that is caused by a storm.A storm surge is a change in sea level that is caused by a storm.
The main cause of a storm surge is high winds pushing the sea water towards the coast, causing it to pile up there.The main cause of a storm surge is high winds pushing the sea water towards the coast, causing it to pile up there.
The strong winds in the storm generate large waves on top of the surge which can cause damage to sea defences, or spill over the top adding to the flood risk.The strong winds in the storm generate large waves on top of the surge which can cause damage to sea defences, or spill over the top adding to the flood risk.
Source: Met OfficeSource: Met Office