This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-25228834
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Severe flood warnings issued in England as storm hits | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Residents in low lying parts of Norfolk have been told to prepare to leave their homes on Thursday night because of predicted floods. | Residents in low lying parts of Norfolk have been told to prepare to leave their homes on Thursday night because of predicted floods. |
| A tide of more than 6ft (1.8m) above the normal maximum is expected at 22:30 GMT caused by severe northerly winds, the Environment Agency said. | A tide of more than 6ft (1.8m) above the normal maximum is expected at 22:30 GMT caused by severe northerly winds, the Environment Agency said. |
| More than 20 severe flood warnings are in force in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. | More than 20 severe flood warnings are in force in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. |
| And strong winds have affected areas further north with a lorry overturning and trapping a car in Newcastle. | And strong winds have affected areas further north with a lorry overturning and trapping a car in Newcastle. |
| Matthew Philpott, from the Environment Agency, said: "There's some nasty weather in the North Sea at the moment with gusts of gale force north westerly winds coupled with spring floods and a large tidal surge. | Matthew Philpott, from the Environment Agency, said: "There's some nasty weather in the North Sea at the moment with gusts of gale force north westerly winds coupled with spring floods and a large tidal surge. |
| "They are all combining to give quite a risk of flooding." | "They are all combining to give quite a risk of flooding." |
| Residents in the Cobholm Island and Southtown areas of Great Yarmouth have been warned to prepare to leave. | Residents in the Cobholm Island and Southtown areas of Great Yarmouth have been warned to prepare to leave. |
| The first surges are expected on the north Norfolk coast at about 20:00 GMT with vulnerable places such as Wells Quay, Blakeney and Salthouses most at risk at this time. | The first surges are expected on the north Norfolk coast at about 20:00 GMT with vulnerable places such as Wells Quay, Blakeney and Salthouses most at risk at this time. |
| But the surge is expected to proceed down the east coast into Suffolk with Lowestoft, Southwold and surrounding marshes under threat at about midnight. | But the surge is expected to proceed down the east coast into Suffolk with Lowestoft, Southwold and surrounding marshes under threat at about midnight. |
| High water levels are expected in the early hours on Friday at Harwich, Parkeston Quay and points south. | High water levels are expected in the early hours on Friday at Harwich, Parkeston Quay and points south. |
| Severe flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency which means a potential risk to life is a factor unless precautions are taken. | Severe flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency which means a potential risk to life is a factor unless precautions are taken. |
| Ferry service cancelled | Ferry service cancelled |
| People who have been warned of severe flooding should put into action their flood plan by getting their belongings to a place of safety and ensuring they have any medication they need, the agency said. | People who have been warned of severe flooding should put into action their flood plan by getting their belongings to a place of safety and ensuring they have any medication they need, the agency said. |
| If an evacuation becomes necessary the agency has asked people to prepare to leave early and to respond to instructions from emergency services staff including the police. | If an evacuation becomes necessary the agency has asked people to prepare to leave early and to respond to instructions from emergency services staff including the police. |
| "We do not want everyone leaving for our emergency centres or relatives inland at the same time as this is likely to clog roads and make travel difficult," a spokesman said. | "We do not want everyone leaving for our emergency centres or relatives inland at the same time as this is likely to clog roads and make travel difficult," a spokesman said. |
| The threat of severe weather is already affecting some businesses and a few schools. | The threat of severe weather is already affecting some businesses and a few schools. |
| Gail Kingston who runs the ferry across the River Ouse at King's Lynn, said she has decided not to run the service because of high winds and deteriorating weather. | Gail Kingston who runs the ferry across the River Ouse at King's Lynn, said she has decided not to run the service because of high winds and deteriorating weather. |
| "We have put the boat up securely for the day but will be in operation again on Friday," she said. | "We have put the boat up securely for the day but will be in operation again on Friday," she said. |
| Police in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are on alert to help the Environment Agency in an emergency period expected to last about 36 hours. | Police in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are on alert to help the Environment Agency in an emergency period expected to last about 36 hours. |
| Norfolk's deputy Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: "A multi-agency co-ordinating group has been convened twice to ensure appropriate plans and resources are in place. | Norfolk's deputy Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: "A multi-agency co-ordinating group has been convened twice to ensure appropriate plans and resources are in place. |
| "The group is planning for potential disruption for a prolonged period of up to 36 hours and households in those affected areas should be mindful of this." | "The group is planning for potential disruption for a prolonged period of up to 36 hours and households in those affected areas should be mindful of this." |
| He said affected communities would be kept up to date on developments and the public "should be on the alert for any further warnings from the Environment Agency". | He said affected communities would be kept up to date on developments and the public "should be on the alert for any further warnings from the Environment Agency". |
| Police in Suffolk are contacting owners of vulnerable properties to provide details of the action that needs to be taken. | Police in Suffolk are contacting owners of vulnerable properties to provide details of the action that needs to be taken. |
| A leaflet containing key information has been produced and is being handed out. | A leaflet containing key information has been produced and is being handed out. |
| "Precautionary evacuation of properties in these areas is being recommended. Rest centres are being established and the location of these will be available in due course," a spokesperson said. | "Precautionary evacuation of properties in these areas is being recommended. Rest centres are being established and the location of these will be available in due course," a spokesperson said. |