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Storm surge flood threat to east coast of England Storm surge flood threat to east coast of England
(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 storm surge.Severe flood warnings are in place along the eastern coast of England, amid fears thousands of homes are at risk from a storm surge.
The Environment Agency said the morning tide was not as high as expected but it has issued severe flood warnings - meaning danger to life - for later.The Environment Agency said the morning tide was not as high as expected but it has issued severe flood warnings - meaning danger to life - for later.
An evacuation was planned for Jaywick, Essex, this morning, while an operation is due in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.An evacuation was planned for Jaywick, Essex, this morning, while an operation is due in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
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 Norfolk and Suffolk.The Environment Agency's severe flood warnings - its highest possible alert - are in place for coastal areas of Norfolk and Suffolk.
It said high tide levels - due to spring tides and a tidal surge - combined with gale force winds will cause "large waves and sea spray resulting in potential damage to flood defences and flooding of property". More than 80 floods warnings and almost 80 flood alerts are also in place.
The agency said high tide levels - due to spring tides and a tidal surge - combined with gale force winds will cause "large waves and sea spray resulting in potential damage to flood defences and flooding of property".
The water peak is due in many areas at about 21:45 GMT. Dozens more flood warnings have been issued along the east coast.The water peak is due in many areas at about 21:45 GMT. Dozens more flood warnings have been issued along the east coast.
Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the first tide to hit the coast on Friday was "slightly under the height that we expected".Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the first tide to hit the coast on Friday was "slightly under the height that we expected".
"The second, due this evening, may come out slightly higher than has been anticipated," he added."The second, due this evening, may come out slightly higher than has been anticipated," he added.
"And so we will stay very active throughout the day on the ground, we will continue to warn and inform the communities that are at risk.""And so we will stay very active throughout the day on the ground, we will continue to warn and inform the communities that are at risk."
Army on standbyArmy 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 potential 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 potential 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 are closed. Elsewhere in the UK:
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's 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.
"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.
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. The flood warnings follow 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, snow has caused 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 OfficeSource: Met Office
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