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Severe flood warnings issued in England as storm hits Severe flood warnings issued in England as storm hits
(about 1 hour later)
Hundred-mile-an-hour winds have battered parts of England, with thousands of people being evacuated due to the risk of flooding. Hundred-mile-an-hour winds have battered parts of England with thousands of people being evacuated due to the risk of flooding.
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 a spring tide and severe winds, the Environment Agency said.
Strong winds have affected areas in the north with a lorry overturning and trapping a car in Newcastle.Strong winds have affected areas in the north with a lorry overturning and trapping a car in Newcastle.
And thousands of homes in Seaham, County Durham, are without power. Thousands of homes in Cumbria and the North East 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 closureBridge closure
Residents in Jaywick on the Essex coast have been told to leave by the fire brigade. Police are visiting 9,000 homes in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, advising residents to leave their homes. Respite centres are also being opened in schools.
Chief fire officer David Johnson said 2,500 homes were being evacuated as flood levels are expected to reach half a metre from the top of the sea wall. Residents in Jaywick, on the Essex coast, have been told to leave by the fire service.
In Norfolk residents in the Cobholm Island and Southtown areas of Great Yarmouth have been warned to prepare to leave. Chief Fire Officer David Johnson said 2,500 homes were being evacuated as flood levels were expected to reach 0.5m from the top of the sea wall.
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. In Norfolk, people in the Cobholm Island and Southtown areas of Great Yarmouth have been warned to prepare to leave.
The surge is expected to proceed down the east coast into Suffolk with Lowestoft, Southwold and surrounding marshes under threat at about midnight. The first surges are expected to hit the north Norfolk coast at about 20:00 GMT with low-lying places such as Wells Quay, Blakeney and Salthouses most at risk.
In Greater Manchester a lorry has overturned on Barton Bridge, on the M60, near the Trafford Centre. The surge is expected to proceed down the east coast into Suffolk with Lowestoft, Southwold and surrounding marshes expected to be under threat at about midnight.
And another lorry overturned on Redheugh Bridge in Newcastle during the rush hour. In Greater Manchester, a lorry has overturned on Barton Bridge, on the M60, near the Trafford Centre.
Police said the bridge was likely to remain closed for the rest of the day. 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.
An Easyjet flight from Bristol to Edinburgh was diverted to Newcastle due to the high winds, but was struck by lightning on approach to the airport.An Easyjet flight from Bristol to Edinburgh was diverted to Newcastle due to the high winds, but was struck by lightning on approach to the airport.
Easyjet said the flight was "equipped to safely withstand lightning and at no point was the safety of the flight compromised". Easyjet said the flight was "equipped to safely withstand lightning" and at no point was safety compromised.
In New Brighton, Merseyside, flooding took place during high tide on the seafront.
Elsewhere in England:Elsewhere in England:
'Clog roads' The Environment Agency said people who have been warned of severe flooding should get their belongings to a safe place and ensure they have any medication they need.
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.
If an evacuation becomes necessary the agency has asked people to prepare to leave early and to respond to instructions from emergency services staff.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.
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.