This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/05/homes-evacuated
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Homes evacuated as England's east coast braces for floods | Homes evacuated as England's east coast braces for floods |
| (6 months later) | |
| Press Association | |
| Thu 5 Dec 2013 12.45 GMT | |
| First published on Thu 5 Dec 2013 12.45 GMT | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| View more sharing options | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Close | |
| Homes along the east coast of England are being evacuated as high tides and strong winds threaten to swamp the coastline in what could be the worst tidal surge for more than 60 years. | Homes along the east coast of England are being evacuated as high tides and strong winds threaten to swamp the coastline in what could be the worst tidal surge for more than 60 years. |
| The Environment Agency has issued three severe flood warnings for parts of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk – the highest category, warning of danger to life. Down the east coast the agency has issued 26 flood warnings, stretching along the Suffolk, Essex and Kent coastlines. | The Environment Agency has issued three severe flood warnings for parts of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk – the highest category, warning of danger to life. Down the east coast the agency has issued 26 flood warnings, stretching along the Suffolk, Essex and Kent coastlines. |
| Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, is chairing a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the response to the storm. | Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, is chairing a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the response to the storm. |
| The agency said communities along the North Sea coast from Northumberland to the Thames estuary and Kent, in addition to those on the Irish Sea coast from Cumbria down to Cheshire, could see significant coastal flooding later on Thursday and into Friday. | The agency said communities along the North Sea coast from Northumberland to the Thames estuary and Kent, in addition to those on the Irish Sea coast from Cumbria down to Cheshire, could see significant coastal flooding later on Thursday and into Friday. |
| A spokesman said in some areas sea levels could be higher than those during the devastating floods of 1953, but defences built since then – including the Thames and Hull barriers – mean that many parts of the country are much better protected. | A spokesman said in some areas sea levels could be higher than those during the devastating floods of 1953, but defences built since then – including the Thames and Hull barriers – mean that many parts of the country are much better protected. |
| However, some coastal flood defences could be "overtopped" by the combined effect of high tides, high winds and a large tidal surge, he said. | However, some coastal flood defences could be "overtopped" by the combined effect of high tides, high winds and a large tidal surge, he said. |
| The coastline from Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk to Clacton, Essex – including Great Yarmouth – is particularly at risk. A severe flood warning is also in place for the quay at Sandwich in Kent. | The coastline from Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk to Clacton, Essex – including Great Yarmouth – is particularly at risk. A severe flood warning is also in place for the quay at Sandwich in Kent. |
| Anne Edwards, editor of the Great Yarmouth Mercury, was one of those told to leave their homes, but is determined to ride out the storm with sandbags and supplies. | Anne Edwards, editor of the Great Yarmouth Mercury, was one of those told to leave their homes, but is determined to ride out the storm with sandbags and supplies. |
| She was woken by an alert call from the Environment Agency at 6.30am, warning of severe flooding in the area of her home, which is a mile from the coast. | She was woken by an alert call from the Environment Agency at 6.30am, warning of severe flooding in the area of her home, which is a mile from the coast. |
| Edwards, who believes hundreds of homes are being evacuated, said: "We're staying put. The house we live in was flooded in 1953 and there's a four-and-a-half-foot-high water line in the dining room from then. We always knew we might be at risk of flooding, so there is a camping stove upstairs and we have water and cans of food. | Edwards, who believes hundreds of homes are being evacuated, said: "We're staying put. The house we live in was flooded in 1953 and there's a four-and-a-half-foot-high water line in the dining room from then. We always knew we might be at risk of flooding, so there is a camping stove upstairs and we have water and cans of food. |
| "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. We can go upstairs. It's not going to kill us." | "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. We can go upstairs. It's not going to kill us." |
| She said she went into a "mad panic" at receiving the automated call and hunted for her home insurance policy. Her husband has bought sandbags and the couple have containers ready to fill with fresh water. | She said she went into a "mad panic" at receiving the automated call and hunted for her home insurance policy. Her husband has bought sandbags and the couple have containers ready to fill with fresh water. |
| She said: "I'm going to get the paper out then go home for dinner, but then I'll be back in the office later. I've got my wellies ready." | She said: "I'm going to get the paper out then go home for dinner, but then I'll be back in the office later. I've got my wellies ready." |
| John Curtin, the Environment Agency's head of incident management, said on Thursday: "Flooding of coastal communities along the eastern and north-west coasts is expected today and into Friday. Some defences could be overtopped by the combined effect of high tides, high winds and a large tidal surge. | John Curtin, the Environment Agency's head of incident management, said on Thursday: "Flooding of coastal communities along the eastern and north-west coasts is expected today and into Friday. Some defences could be overtopped by the combined effect of high tides, high winds and a large tidal surge. |
| "Our teams have been out in force checking that flood defences and barriers are in good working order, monitoring sea levels and issuing flood warnings. | "Our teams have been out in force checking that flood defences and barriers are in good working order, monitoring sea levels and issuing flood warnings. |
| "Coastal paths and promenades will be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of people being swept out to sea. | "Coastal paths and promenades will be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of people being swept out to sea. |
| "People are being urged to check the Environment Agency website or follow @EnvAgency and @floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood outlook, and to sign up to receive free flood warnings." | "People are being urged to check the Environment Agency website or follow @EnvAgency and @floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood outlook, and to sign up to receive free flood warnings." |
| Weather | |
| Flooding | |
| Natural disasters and extreme weather | |
| news | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Reuse this content |