Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject: Storm Surge poses "Extreme Danger".
A three-metre tidal wave is predicted to surge down the English Channel in the next 12 hours posing an "extreme danger to life and property", experts have warned.
Coupled with storms and high tides, the wave could leave swathes of the east coast under water, according to the Environment Agency.
A combination of gale force winds off the coast of Scotland and high tides are expected to cause floods which could breach sea defences.
• Nine severe flood warnings issued by Environment Agency
• Surge expected to hit east coast in next 12 hours
• Police on standby to evacuate homes
• Dartford Creek and Thames barriers closed
The Thames Barrier has been closed at 8pm to protect against the tidal surge
The surge is expected to hit the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coastline from early tomorrow morning.
About 8,000 properties in Great Yarmouth and 1,800 in Lowestoft could be at risk.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called a special COBRA Cabinet Office meeting to coordinate an emergency reponse.
John Healey, minister of state for local communities, said: "COBRA will be on full alert throughout the night, and the Prime Minister will be keeping in close touch and keeping on top of things."
In a statement to the Commons tonight, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said police were on standby in the areas most likely to be affected to evacuate homes if necessary.
"A tidal surge of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea which could coincide with peak high-tides," he said.
Braving the gale force winds: A man takes a stroll along Roker beach, in Sunderland
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We're warning people there's an extreme danger to life and property.
"There is a risk of flood defences being over-topped on the coast and in tidal rivers, especially in East Anglia, particularly the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth including Lowestoft, and areas south of this as far as the coast of Kent."
The spokesman likened the current conditions to those leading up to the floods of 1953. More than 300 people were killed when a surge from the North Sea flooded almost 100,000 hectares of eastern England.
"In 1953, there was a 3.2-metre surge and also high tides and a storm. It's comparable but we're much better prepared now," he said.
Nine severe weather warnings have been issued covering coastal areas from the north-east to Anglia. There are also 10 flood warnings and 24 flood watches in place.
The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers were closed at 8pm to cope with the expected high water.
Water levels will rise and ebb with the tide, the spokesman said.
1953 floods: More than 300 people were killed, including 58 in Canvey Island
Devastation: The Environment Agency claims the wave could be nearly as high as the 3.2-metre surge that hit Sea Palling, Norfolk, in 1953
Along with six severe flood warnings for the Anglia region, a further three flood warnings have been issued across the North East.
Residents along the Kent coast, from the north of the county to Sandwich and Deal, could also wake up to localised flooding. The Dover District Council has also been alerted.
The agency has asked the public to be vigilant and to watch weather and tide warnings from tonight until tomorrow night.
The spokesman said: "We would urge anyone who receives a flood warning to check that their neighbours are aware of the warning.
"We will also have Environment Agency staff out warning people if the risk of flooding does get worse."
Flooding: Great Yarmouth was hit in 1953
The Met Office said north-westerly winds exceeding 50 mph were coinciding with low pressure and high tides to produce the exceptional conditions.
Stewart Wortley, head of storm tide forcasting, said: "The height of the surge we are expecting on Friday morning happens around once every 20 years or so."
European forecasters today warned of high winds, extreme snowfall and avalanches.
Earlier today Dutch port authorities prepared to close Europe's largest harbour in Rotterdam to defend against predicted storm surges and winds of up to 60mph.
Gusts of up to 78mph were expected in Germany and Denmark and "extreme" amounts of fresh snow were forecast on the northern fringe of the Alps.
The Environment Agency is advising worried homeowners to call the floodline: 0845 988 1188.
Well, it seems that this time we were quite lucky. The storm surge was slightly lower than expected, and it passed by Lowestoft and Gt. Yarmouth with minimal damage. The sea defences were breached in a few places, and the roads around Gt. Yarmouth are still closed,
Noone seems to have laid much criticsism on the Authorities for thier handling of the situation. All seem to agree that, for once, they did the right thing by warning people early about the surge, and evacuating the elderly and more vunerable people away from Care Homes.
Has the adverse weather affected you at all?
If so, tell us about it.
The surge has yet to reach the Southend and North Kent area, so watches are being kept now along this streatch of Coastline. _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
We had brilliant pictures in the local paper of the high tide smashing over the sea wall,but luckly it didn't breach anywere along my part of the coast Thats Immingham, Grimsby, and Cleethorpes _________________
I'm aware that the recent weather conditions have produced some dramatic pictures, Jo-Jo, luckily, our defences were up to it (this time). But too my mind, this was a real "wake-up" call, and we would be foolish to rest on our laruels and think it won't happen again for another fifty years.
I think it will, with more and more regularity, and next time we may not be so lucky.
People have been asking if the Authorities went "over the top" with thier warnings, but I don't think that they did. For once, they did the right thing by warning and evacuating people. Just imagine, if they hadn't done this, and the defences were breached, can you imagine the outcry?
Many people could have been killed, then the Authorities would have been blamed for not acting. Sometimes, they just cannot win, can they? _________________ http://sewardchronicles.ning.com/
Walked along the sand dunes today was amazed to see how far the tide had come in,it's the most powerful force on earth,and we should all be very alarmed by any high tide _________________
Yes, Jo-Jo, even more powerful than George Bush and the good ole US of A!!!! (Although no doubt, Bush and his cohorts would try to tell you differently!)
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