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| Storm surge flood threat to coastal areas in UK | Storm surge flood threat to coastal areas in UK |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Severe flood warnings are in place along the eastern coast of England, amid fears thousands of homes are at risk from a three-metre storm surge. | Severe flood warnings are in place along the eastern coast of England, amid fears thousands of homes are at risk from a three-metre storm surge. |
| The Environment Agency has issued 12 severe flood warnings - meaning danger to life - for the lunchtime high tide at 12:30 GMT and Friday night. | The Environment Agency has issued 12 severe flood warnings - meaning danger to life - for the lunchtime high tide at 12:30 GMT and Friday night. |
| An evacuation is under way in Jaywick, Essex, while an operation will begin in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk at 10:00 GMT. | An evacuation is under way in Jaywick, Essex, while an operation will begin in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk at 10:00 GMT. |
| It comes as the Met Office has warned of high winds, snow and ice on Friday. | It comes as the Met Office has warned of high winds, snow and ice on Friday. |
| 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 severe flood warnings - its highest possible alert - are in place for 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. | 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. |
| Dozens more flood warnings have been issued along the east coast, which is braced for a storm surge brought on by gale-force winds and high tides. | Dozens more flood warnings have been issued along the east coast, which is braced for a storm surge brought on by gale-force winds and high tides. |
| Army on standby | |
| Ahead of the potential storm surge, police officers were going door-to-door in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, to inform residents of the need to leave their homes. About 2,500 could be affected, officials have said. | Ahead of the potential storm surge, police officers were going door-to-door in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, to inform residents of the need to leave their homes. About 2,500 could be affected, officials have said. |
| Leaflets warned households their properties "could be flooded by sea water up to a depth of three metres". | Leaflets warned households their properties "could be flooded by sea water up to a depth of three metres". |
| About 5,000 properties near Great Yarmouth are to be evacuated from 10:00 GMT by police and the Army. | About 5,000 properties near Great Yarmouth are to be evacuated from 10:00 GMT by police and the Army. |
| Further up the coast, the Ministry of Defence said about 100 soldiers from the Catterick army base had been deployed to Skegness, Lincolnshire, where about 3,000 residents have been urged to leave their homes or move upstairs. | Further up the coast, the Ministry of Defence said about 100 soldiers from the Catterick army base had been deployed to Skegness, Lincolnshire, where about 3,000 residents have been urged to leave their homes or move upstairs. |
| Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, the Army remains on standby, while several schools will are closed. | Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, the Army remains on standby, while several schools will are closed. |
| And in 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. | And in 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. | The morning high tide passed Scarborough, Bridlington, Hull and Skegness without incident. The Environment Agency said it was an "improving picture" but urged caution. |
| 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. |
| 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. | It follows wintery weather on Thursday across large parts of the UK. |
| In Scotland, up to seven inches of snow fell overnight in parts of the Highlands, causing disruption on the roads. | In Scotland, up to seven inches of snow fell overnight in parts of the Highlands, causing disruption on the roads. |
| The A93 has been closed south of Braemar, while speed restrictions are in place due to high winds on the Forth Road Bridge and the Skye Bridge. | The A93 has been closed south of Braemar, while speed restrictions are in place due to high winds on the Forth Road Bridge and the Skye Bridge. |
| 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 Office | Source: Met Office |