‘Be prepared’ warning as flood disaster anniversary nears

Survivors of the 1953 east coast floods will this week mark the anniversary of the flooding which killed 307 and led to the evacuation of 30,000 homes.

While millions of pounds have since been invested in improving resilience, the Environment Agency said 1.3 million people, or one in 25 homes in England and Wales, remain at risk of coastal flooding.

The situation is likely to be exacerbated in coming years as a result of climate change, the agency added.

The flooding, which began on the night of January 31, was caused by a combination of a high spring tide, deep atmospheric 
low pressure which raised sea levels and exceptionally strong northerly gales which led to a surge of sea water over coastal defences.

It affected communities from Spurn Point to Kent, and thousands of animals were drowned and tracts of farmland were made infertile by salt water.

David Rooke, the Environment Agency’s director of flood and coastal risk management, said the anniversary would serve as a reminder of the devastation flooding can cause to lives and property.

“Since 1953 huge improvements have been made in flood forecasting and prevention.

“But 1.3 million people are at risk of coastal flooding in England and Wales, and this is set to increase with a changing climate and rising sea levels.

“The extra protection and reassurance flood defences give to many communities should not 
be under-estimated but nor should the reality that tidal surges along the coast still happen regularly.

“We cannot afford to be complacent and the experiences in the United States during Hurricane Sandy should make us pause and reflect on the destructive power of a major coastal surge.”

Mr Rooke urged anybody living or working along the coast to find out if they are at risk of coastal flooding and take precautions such as signing up to the agency’s free flood warnings.

The floods were the catalyst 
for major flood defence investment, notably the Thames 
Barrier and Thames estuary defences which protect 1.2 million people.