Flood warnings: Norfolk coastal homes evacuated

1. Evacuation advice was issued to homes and businesses on Monday
2. The threat from the sea has been centred on Snettisham, Heacham and Hunstanton
3. High tide passed at 08:40 BST on Tuesday with little flooding
4. A change in wind direction meant waves were not as strong as expected
5. The all-clear was given for the area just before 10:00 BST
6. All flood warnings have been lifted in the county but seven flood alerts remain in place
7. The Environment Agency has asked residents to remain vigilant with further high tides due

That's all for today

With the imminent threat of flooding on the Norfolk coast now thankfully passed, we're ending our live updates today.

But we will continue to watch the situation closely and bring you any significant news on our BBC Norfolk page, on BBC Radio Norfolk and on BBC Look East - on BBC One at 18:30 and 22:25 this evening, and from 06:25 tomorrow.

Thank you for joining us today.

'No further evacuations anticipated'

We've had an update from the Environment Agency - no further evacuations are anticipated along the Norfolk coast.

But the agency reiterated that it would continue to monitor the situation and was working to prepare its response to tomorrow morning's high tide.

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A spokesman said: "Across the East of England the Environment Agency have teams out on the ground operating tidal gates and ensuring rivers are clear of blockages.

"People are advised to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water; just 30cm (12in) of flowing water is enough to move your car."

People living in the affected areas should call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for the latest flood warnings in their area or visit https://www.gov.uk/flood

Environment Agency monitors situation as tides remain high

The Environment Agency said the risk of flooding from the North Sea had reduced, but that it would continue to monitor the forecast throughout the day, as Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning tides would remain high.

It follows an evacuation warning in place from 07:00 to 10:00 for Heacham, Snettisham and Hunstanton, which has now been lifted.

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Its incident response staff were checking the condition of defences, it said.

Flood threat passes as wind changes direction

West Norfolk flood threat passes as wind changes

The Environment Agency feared a combination of strong winds and high tides could cause flooding.

Flood warnings downgraded to flood alerts

There are currently no severe flood warnings or flood warnings along the Norfolk coast, with the earlier flood warnings for Snettisham, Heacham and Hunstanton, downgraded to flood alerts.

There are also flood alerts between Old Hunstanton and Cley; from East Cley to Kelling Hard; and on the tidal River Yare from Thorpe St Andrew to Breydon Water and on the tidal River Waveney from Ellingham to Breydon Water.

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High water passes at Gorleston

Andrew Turner

BBC Radio Norfolk

High tide has been and gone at Gorleston with the water levels just a little higher than normal, but no problems.

A flood alert remains in place for the tidal River Yare, but this was the scene just after high water at Gorleston Lifeboat Station.

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Relief after high tide passes

Martin Barber

BBC News

Val Lasenby moved to the Hunstanton area recently, so this was the first full flood warning that she had been through.

She walks her dog, Freddie, every morning along the seafront and was relieved to see the water was calmer than yesterday.

She was pleased when things did not appear as bad as they could have been.

BBC

High sea levels breach coast at Brancaster

Teas and coffees on hand

Martin Barber

BBC News

Volunteers at Hunstanton Community Centre have been praised for their work looking after people evacuated from their homes.

Janet Wrubel and Kathleen Huggins turned up after they were advised to do so by their caravan owner as they wanted to be on "the safe side."

The helpers had provided "a very good service", they said.

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They have now been told it is safe to return to their caravan, but only after having coffee and biscuits.

Making people feel 'safe and secure'

Martin Barber

BBC News

At the Hunstanton rest centre, seven people - and six dogs - have come to get out of the rain and the wind.

Tony Howell, the manager, said: "People have been pleased to come away from the risk areas where the flooding is and come here for a warm cup of tea or coffee."

His job, along with that of the three wardens, is to make everyone feel "at ease, safe and secure", he said.

BBC

All-clear in Hunstanton

Martin Barber

BBC News

Good news has just been shared in Hunstanton.

The Environment Agency has confirmed that the all-clear has been given.

It seems like everyone can return home, but with more high tides to come, expect further updates and more information from the agency.

BBC

Evacuation decision 'not taken lightly'

The Environment Agency has defended its decision to evacuate about 3,000 homes ahead of the high tide at Hunstanton this morning.

David Young said the agency's plans "seemed to have worked". The water levels were lower than expected, due to a change in wind direction, he said.

Flood alerts will remain in place due to further tides, and levels will be looked at closely tomorrow with more updates to come, he said.

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"We have to be careful with the messages we sent out. This warning was based on a lot of experience; those decisions aren't taken lightly," he said.

"We have robust plans in place to make sure that we are not leaving anything to chance. We do plan for the worst but do hope for the best and we don't want to take a risk with people's lives."

Our men in Hunstanton

Here's a quick snap of three of our team in Hunstanton: from left, reporter Martin Barber and Alex Dunlop, and cameraman Shaun Whitmore.

They look cheerful enough, despite the early start and the wet and windy weather.

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High tide passes in Hunstanton

Martin Barber

BBC News

At high tide the North Sea was lapping the edge of the concrete promenade some 6m (20ft) away from the sea wall in Hunstanton.

Rain continues to fall, making it a very wet and grey morning. The alert remains in place until about 10:00 and the Environment Agency is asking residents to remain vigilant.

Flood alerts are still in place along other parts of the Norfolk coast and in King's Lynn, 66 flood gates and dams have been closed to protect the town.

They will be taken out once high tide has passed to let traffic through.

The high water level passes in Hunstanton without too much flooding

Wind not as 'severe as planned for'

Martin Barber

BBC News

The high tide has arrived in Hunstanton but Paul Burrows, flood and coastal risk manager at the Environment Agency, told me things were not as bad as predicted.

"The forecast tide levels have come in as anticipated. The wind hasn't quite tracked in the directed expected, hence the wave action is not quite as severe as we had planned for," he said.

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"It's good that we have taken action to enact prepared plans that have been tried and tested over the last 10 to 15 years to protect vulnerable communities from a range of variables that the sea throws at us."

He explained the shingle defences were still vulnerable and is asking everyone to stay out of their homes until 10:00, when the tide has receded.

Then the agency will take stock of the tides tonight and tomorrow and see if any other action is needed.

Hunstanton resident 'doubts' flooding will happen

'We may have got away with it'

Jill Bennett

BBC Radio Norfolk

It looks like the high tide surge has not happened in Hunstanton.

It seems like the wind has not switched round to the north, so we may have got away with it.

It is, of course, early days and we await further information from the Environment Agency.

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'The power of the sea'

Martin Barber

BBC News

Nigel Croasdale, general manager of Sealife Hunstanton, said: "We’ve lived and breathed what the power of the sea can do in these circumstances, so when we heard of the flood warning the first thing that enters your head is 'This happened before in 2013'.

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"Having experienced a tidal surge which breached the sea defences and flooded the centre, which led to the evacuation of the animals and 10 months closed, it makes you highly nervous every time there’s a flood alert; it does seem ever so real.

"Luckily this morning the wind seems to have dropped, but if the wind speed had picked up in the right direction there could have been a much more serious situation that I think we’re going to end up with."

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'The wind has picked up in Hunstanton'

Alex Dunlop

BBC Look East

In the last half-hour the wind has really picked up here in Hunstanton.

The waves are lashing against the sea wall and high tide is due at about 08:40.

The Environment Agency says when that has come and gone, the danger will not have passed and there could still be a risk of flooding.

They will be keeping a close eye on what happens, and further down the coast towards Snettisham, over the next two hours.

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Flood warnings: North Norfolk coast on alert