Worst coastal surge for 30 years?

[OhYouMerryLittleKitten]

So r4 reports the environment agency as saying for this afternoon right down the east coast to Essex. Just eating my breakfast so will dig out the relevant info in a little bit.

we are south kent coast, 30m from the sea, and actually below sea level. the wind is really getting up, and although I dont want to be a wuss, I think I will take sentimental stuff upstairs and perhaps put computer towers up onto furniture. DDs are both at school inland and uphill, but if as predicted it hits later then will be here (which is good as DH is away and I would freak out). wondering whether to get DD2 to come straight home rather than go to dance which entails me picking her up at 7.30...

although EA says flood alert at the moment - do they update the site as the day goes on, does anyone know?

The humber is quite striking on the map!

They do boschy. I think it is sensible to prepare although if Im reading it right, its around 12:30am tonight and 1pm tomorrow when its expected to hit you?

THe Thames Barrier closes several times a year, doesn't it?

I think it's north Norfolk that the EA seems to be worrying about most, as they have same combination of circumstances that caused the great floods of 1978 and 1953. I don't think they're expecting a death toll in the hundreds (as happened in '53) though, as part of the reason it was so high then was because there had been no prior warning; so more like '78 if the waters go that high.

I should really get the title amended - the EA are now saying it will be the worst for 60 years :(

It does meditrina - its closed 119 times in its life. Happens more often now I believe.

Its going to be a real test of the flood defences I'm afraid. Parts of Great yarmouth and other places are being evacuated.

yes we're just past high tide here, so next one is due about midnight or something just past. think I will tell DD2 to come straight home, because school is 8 miles away and if it is starting by then would prefer not to do that along not very great roads and lots of trees...

where's your caravan Mrs DeVere? loads around here, many people live in them for 10-11 mths of the year.

Anyone know what time we're likely to see flooding? Only DH is away, we live on a bit currently coloured yellow, and sleep in the basement... How long do I have to stay awake worrying?

The local radio (klfm) are saying that parts snettisham and Heacham are being evacuated too. Luckily most bits of them are set back so it'll only be the bits on the very coast.

I suspect people in cley, Blakeney and salthouse will already be getting prepared. The lower parts of salthouse, cookies, Dun cow etc have flooded fairly recently

Fanny, have a look when your high tides are. Our next one is early evening but it does vary depending on where you are

damefanny - where do you live roughly? can pm me if you want.

Tides vary: you can search by location from this page

Roughly 1am for the overnight high tide.

Just watching the BBC News: some evacuations in Clacton.

Norfolk police -www.norfolk.police.uk/newsandevents/newsstories/2013/december/floodwarningfornorfolk.aspx

gorgeous location mrsdevere. but as Noel Coward once said "very flat, Norfolk"!! or is Lowestoft Suffolk? lovely part of the world.

fingers crossed for everyone, I am just watching the wind out of the windows and it is really getting up here. although we are below sea level we have a recently completed £32million sea wall built by the EA, so I hope to god they knew what they were doing...

boschy - thank goodness that escaped the cuts!

useful page from the norfolk police. it sounds like they have a thorough plan.

Just outside Norwich, in a house that hasn't flooded since 1953

Unless you're on the east side (along the river) you should be ok.

I get you mrsdevere. I am slightly beginning to panic now, is that completely irrational? wish DH wasnt away. have told DDs to come straight home from school.

cant do anything about the chickens, they are on slightly higher ground than the house; could bring the rabbits indoors to spend the night in cat boxes (they wont like it much but tough). will lock the catflaps once all 3 cats are in. the dog sleeps in the kitchen, but hopefully he would have the wit to at least come to the bottom of the stairs and woof...

yes merry, I guess it was finished a couple of years ago - just hope it works.

when we moved here, in 1998, there were bad storms and waves topped the old sea wall - fortunately just ran down our path and off to either side, but I think tonight sounds as if it could be worse than that.

so about 8pm Damefanny. I would make some preps.