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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
(35 minutes later)
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 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 cause the disruption expected.
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. Some homes in Yorkshire were flooded, but conditions along much of the east coast did not reach the forecast level of danger, which had prompted the Environment Agency (EA) to issue 17 severe flood warnings and tell those in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex that they were most at risk.
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. Seven people were rescued after a cargo ship sank in bad weather off the Kent coast. The vessel made a mayday call shortly before midnight on Friday while north-east of Ramsgate.
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.” 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.”
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. High tides passed overnight without significant impact on coastal residents despite more than 100 EA flood warnings. On Saturday, 34 warnings and 50 alerts remained in place.
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.” Doug Wilson, the EA’s flood duty manager, said: “High tides and strong winds caused large waves along the east coast yesterday, bringing significant flooding and danger to life.”
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. 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.
“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.“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.
“Some properties in North and East Yorkshire were flooded and our thoughts are with those affected.”“Some properties in North and East Yorkshire were flooded and our thoughts are with those affected.”
He said EA teams were inspecting and repairing damaged defences, and would continue to update the public of any flood risks. Wilson said EA teams were inspecting and repairing damaged defences, and would continue to update the public of any flood risks.
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. Evacuated residents at a rest centre in Jaywick, Essex, were told they could return to their homes in the early hours of Saturday after the predicted flooding failed to materialise.
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. Police spokesman Matthew Horne defended the warnings to residents, saying they were grounded in science and advice from the EA and the Met Office.
In Norfolk, police said the closure of rest centres would be staggered to ensure residents and property owners could return home safely.In Norfolk, police said the closure of rest centres would be staggered to ensure residents and property owners could return home safely.
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 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.
“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.”“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.”
Walkers were advised by the EA to be wary on coastal paths and promenades as the “unsettled” weather continues. The EA advised walkers to be wary on coastal paths and promenades as the unsettled weather continues.
The Met Office predicted a calmer week ahead but warned of cold and icy conditions in some parts of the country. The Met Office predicted a calmer week ahead, but said some parts of the country would experience cold and icy conditions.
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. Forecaster Steven Keates said tides were still quite high and it remained windy on the North Sea coast, but that 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.
“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.” “Overnight tonight 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.”
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. After some milder weather across many parts of the country early in the week, things are set to get cold again. The Met Office said temperatures would drop again in the south, with an easterly wind coming off a cold continent, and that the weather would remain mostly dry with some frost. Scotland would experience milder temperatures, with westerly winds and cloud.