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East coast towns braced for further flooding High tides to threaten East coast for two days
(about 1 hour later)
Coastal towns are bracing for further flooding after a tidal surge struck overnight, forcing thousands of people to be evacuated. High tides will continue to threaten coastal towns for the next two days, after the largest tidal surge for 60 years struck overnight.
Flood waters are said to be receding but there are concerns over high tides in England throughout the day. The surge washed a lifeboat station and homes into the sea in Norfolk and in Suffolk 27 people had to be rescued.
In Norfolk a lifeboat station and homes fell into the sea and the Army was called in to help and in Suffolk 27 people had to be rescued. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said 800,000 properties were protected by flood defences but "exceptionally high tides" will continue for 48 hours.
The Environment Agency has issued 39 severe flood warnings for England. There are currently dozens of severe flood warnings for the East of England.
Further high tides are expected at 08:40 in Cromer and 10:35 in Great Yarmouth.
The BBC's Chris Eakin tweeted: "Measurements show tidal surge in Great Yarmouth last night was higher than 1953 when more than 300 killed. Power of defences."The BBC's Chris Eakin tweeted: "Measurements show tidal surge in Great Yarmouth last night was higher than 1953 when more than 300 killed. Power of defences."
'Cliff gave way''Cliff gave way'
But in nearby Hemsby five homes were washed into the sea overnight.
Elsewhere in England:
The Environment Agency said greater loss of life and damage to property was prevented thanks to flood defences that have been put in place.
Jason Wakeford, a spokesman for the EA, said: "It is quite clear from those numbers that events like this are hugely dangerous - the 1953 flood claimed thousands of lives so alerts and warnings are very important to prevent such a disaster happening again.
"In places across the east coast sea levels were higher than in 1953. However, this time we had much better protection in place."
Mr Wakeford said the Thames Barrier had faced the biggest tide since it opened in 1982 and would be closing again at 11.15am after being shut overnight and reopened.
A lifeboat station at East Runton in Norfolk had to be abandoned after the cliff collapsed.A lifeboat station at East Runton in Norfolk had to be abandoned after the cliff collapsed.
Secretary Ian Arnold said: "All of a sudden the cliff gave way and all that was left was the fence hanging over the waves."Secretary Ian Arnold said: "All of a sudden the cliff gave way and all that was left was the fence hanging over the waves."
Elsewhere in England:
The Environment Agency said the North Sea tidal surge was set to be the worst in 60 years.
On Thursday, storms resulted in the death of one man who was killed by a falling tree in Retford, Nottinghamshire, while riding a mobility scooter.On Thursday, storms resulted in the death of one man who was killed by a falling tree in Retford, Nottinghamshire, while riding a mobility scooter.
Members of the the Light Dragoons helped erect the barriers to protect homes and the telephone exchange in Great Yarmouth.Members of the the Light Dragoons helped erect the barriers to protect homes and the telephone exchange in Great Yarmouth.
In Cumbria and Teesside, 20,000 homes were left without power as the heavy winds and tidal surge made its way down the east coast from Scotland.In Cumbria and Teesside, 20,000 homes were left without power as the heavy winds and tidal surge made its way down the east coast from Scotland.
The River Tyne and River Tees burst their banks in the North East as heavy rain forced dozens of major road closures from about 16:30 GMT.The River Tyne and River Tees burst their banks in the North East as heavy rain forced dozens of major road closures from about 16:30 GMT.
Dave Cocks from the RNLI in Redcar said the tide on the River Tees was the highest measured "for 150 years".Dave Cocks from the RNLI in Redcar said the tide on the River Tees was the highest measured "for 150 years".
In the Midlands, a pilot trying to land a plane at Birmingham Airport was forced to abort the manoeuvre at the last moment due to heavy winds.In the Midlands, a pilot trying to land a plane at Birmingham Airport was forced to abort the manoeuvre at the last moment due to heavy winds.
A separate Flybe flight from Jersey, due to land at the same time, was diverted to East Midlands Airport because of the same problem.A separate Flybe flight from Jersey, due to land at the same time, was diverted to East Midlands Airport because of the same problem.