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Relief for thousands on UK east coast as flooding threat wanes Relief for thousands on UK east coast as flooding threat wanes
(about 4 hours later)
Flood-threatened residents have expressed relief on Britain’s east coast as a feared storm surge failed to deliver the disruption expected. Thousands of people evacuated from their homes along Britain’s east coast have been told they can return to their properties after an anticipated storm surge failed to deliver the disruption expected.
Thousands were evacuated from their homes as the Environment Agency (EA) issued 17 severe warnings – which warn of danger to life – with those in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex told they were most at risk. While some homes in Yorkshire were flooded, the coastal conditions along much of the east coast did not reach the forecast level of danger which prompted the Environment Agency (EA) to issue 17 severe flood warnings, with those in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex told they were most at risk.
But in the early hours of Saturday, the remaining residents in a rest centre in Jaywick, Essex, were told they could return to their homes after there were no signs of flooding. Seven people were rescued after a cargo ship sunk off the coast of Kent in the bad weather. The vessel made a mayday call while positioned off the north-east of Ramsgate shortly before midnight on Friday.
Residents on the east coast waited for the storm surge to hit during the second high tide around midnight, with gale-force winds and higher than usual tides expected to bring waves crashing over coastal defences. Steve Carson, the UK Coastguard duty commander, said: “The weather on scene has been challenging but we are pleased to report that all the crew have been rescued and are on their way to hospital.”
Essex police said the centre in Clacton was accommodating 230 residents at its peak, but no one visited another site in West Mersea. High tides passed overnight without significant impact on coastal residents despite more than 100 EA flood warnings. On Saturday, 34 flood warnings and 50 flood alerts remained in place.
Deputy Chief Constable Matthew Horne defended the warnings to residents, saying they were grounded in science and advice from the EA and the Met Office. Doug Wilson, the EA’s flood duty manager, said: “High tides and strong winds caused large waves along the east coast yesterday [Friday], bringing significant flooding and danger to life.”
“We prepare for the worst case scenario and we would be happy to take the same decision again should we be faced with the same advice as we have had over the last 36 hours,” he said. He said the organisation operated its permanent flood defences, including the Thames and Hull Barriers, and set up temporary defences in at-risk areas to protect more than 550,000 properties.
The EA manager, Claire Beecroft, advised walkers to be wary on coastal paths and promenades on Saturday as the “unsettled” weather continued. “But in the event, the combination of the peak surge, strong winds and large waves did not coincide in all areas and did not reach the most dangerous levels possible.
The Met Office forecast a calmer period of weather, but warned of icy conditions in Norfolk, the west of England, Wales and Scotland. “Some properties in North and East Yorkshire were flooded and our thoughts are with those affected.”
Before the predicted surge in Jaywick, many residents refused to leave their homes, despite an emergency services evacuation plan and pleas from Essex police for them to move to safety. He said EA teams were inspecting and repairing damaged defences, and would continue to update the public of any flood risks.
Alison McGuire, who decided to stay home, said: “I did not think it would come over. I thought to myself, what is all the fuss about?” Evacuated residents at a rest centre in Jaywick, Essex, were told they could return to their homes in the early hours of Saturday after there were no signs of flooding.
Great Yarmouth residents expressed their relief when their fears were not realised. The deputy chief constable Matthew Horne defended the warnings to residents saying they were grounded in science and advice from the EA and the Met Office.
Jess Hudson, 19, of nearby Gorleston-on-Sea, said: “I didn’t think it would be as bad as before [when floods hit in 2013] but people were worried and they’ll be relieved the worst seems to have passed. In Norfolk, police said the closure of rest centres would be staggered to ensure residents and property owners could return home safely.
“I was surprised at the number of people who stayed in their homes when they were asked to leave. If it was me, I wouldn’t want to risk that.” The temporary deputy chief constable Nick Dean said: “Thankfully the high tides passed without significant incident, which means that people can now return to their properties.
The Haven Bridge walkway in the town was filled with people photographing the river Yare, which was several feet short of breaching the walls. “There may still be some hazards caused by flooding and we would remind people to continue to listen to the advice of the emergency services and heed the ongoing public health information.”
The emergency services and army were deployed in the Norfolk town before the predicted storm surge, but were stood down as it appeared the area had avoided the worst of the weather. Walkers were advised by the EA to be wary on coastal paths and promenades as the “unsettled” weather continues.
According to its live incidents web page, Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service attended a few incidents to “assist with flooding”, including rescuing people stuck in flood water, and assisting “with emergency lighting at an evacuation centre” in Walcott. Police said a man was arrested for public order offences after jumping into the river in Great Yarmouth. The Met Office predicted a calmer week ahead but warned of cold and icy conditions in some parts of the country.
Officers were alerted to a man acting dangerously near Haven Bridge at around 9.10pm. When asked to move away from the water for his own safety, the man jumped in. Police said an officer pulled the man from the water immediately and he was detained. Forecaster Steven Keates said that while tides were still quite high and it remained windy down the North Sea coast, the situation had improved and the main risk was over. Wintry showers were expected in Norfolk on Saturday, including snow in Great Yarmouth, but there would be some sunshine further north.
Supt Dave Buckley said: “Despite numerous warnings from police and our partner agencies to stay away from the water, a small number of people do not seem to be taking this message seriously.” “Overnight tonight [Saturday] there will be a weather front coming in from the west, causing breakouts of rain,” Keates said. “Along the eastern edge of the country is a risk of some rain turning to snow across parts of Scotland. And there will be more sleet and snow across some parts of East Anglia tomorrow [Sunday] morning so anyone travelling should take care.”
The EA moved more than five miles (8km) of temporary barriers and 25 pumps to depots and towns along the east coast. After some milder weather across many parts of the country early in the week, things were due to get cold again. The Met forecast that temperatures would drop again in the south, with an easterly wind coming off a very cold continent, but the weather would remain mostly dry with some frost. Scotland would experience milder temperatures, with westerly winds and cloud.