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Severe flood warnings issued in England as storm hits | 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. |
Strong winds have affected areas further north with a lorry overturning and trapping a car in Newcastle. | |
And thousands of homes in Seaham, County Durham, are without power. | |
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." |
Bridge closure | |
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. |
The surge is expected to proceed down the east coast into Suffolk with Lowestoft, Southwold and surrounding marshes under threat at about midnight. | |
In Greater Manchester a lorry has overturned on Barton Bridge, on the M60, near the Trafford Centre. | |
Two lanes have been closed and there was queuing traffic close to the shopping mall. | |
And another lorry overturned on Redheugh Bridge in Newcastle during the rush hour. | |
Police said the bridge was likely to remain closed for the rest of the day. | |
Elsewhere in England: | |
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 Environment Agency said. | |
'Clog roads' | |
If an evacuation becomes necessary the agency has asked people to prepare to leave early and to respond to instructions from emergency services staff. | |
"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. |
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" had met twice to ensure appropriate plans and resources were 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," he said. | |