Essex: Flooding Latest

6 December 2013, 11:29 | Updated: 6 December 2013, 13:02

Flood warning

Get all the latest information on the areas set to be affected by the tidal surge.

1250 - Rest centres for people in Jaywick have closed

All evacuees from Jaywick have left the rest centre at Clacton County High School and the facility has shut down according to police.

1124 - Police say it is safe to go home

Essex Police say there are no severe flood warnings now in place and would like to reassure residents it is safe to go home and there is no longer a requirement for people to evacuate their homes.

They say there no casualties or serious incidents reported as a result of the flooding.

The dedicated information hotline has now closed.

0840 - Woman and baby rescued from floods

Essex fire service say a woman and baby had been rescue from flood waters.

Firefighters were called to reports that they were stranded at Brightlingsea Marina at about 1.44am.

"They were safely back on dry ground by 1.53am,'' a spokesman said.

0830 - PCC thanks emergency services

 
The Police and Crime Commissioner has paid tribute to the outstanding work of Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service, NHS England, our councils, volunteers and partner agencies in working together to keep the people of Essex safe during the tidal surges.

Nick Alston said: "I was in the operational control room at Essex Police Headquarters on Thursday night and was able to see at first hand the meticulous and professional work of the emergency planning teams. It was a very fast moving and unpredictable situation, and everyone was committed to doing their utmost to protect residents from harm. Lots of fine judgements were being made, and particular attention was paid to ensuring vulnerable people were cared for.

"I would like to pay tribute to the people of our county who behaved with great dignity and understanding, even when evacuation plans were implemented at short notice.

"As the sun rises, we will have a clearer sense of the impact of the floods. We can all be proud of the spirit displayed by the people of Essex and the way in which our county rose to the challenge of coastal flooding.” 


0500 - Trains Affected By Bad Weather

Due to the earlier overhead wire damage between Colchester and Clacton and between Norwich and Colchester, Greater Anglia have been unable to return the usual number of trains to depots.

This means that there will be a reduced service running on the Norwich to Ipswich and Liverpool Street, Clacton on Sea and Walton on the Naze to Colchester/London, Harwich Town to Manningtree and Marks Tey to Sudbury routes on Friday morning.

The Environment Agency have also issued severe flood warnings affecting the Harwich Town to Manningtree, Southend Victoria to Shenfield and Wickford to Southminster lines and early morning services are subject to cancellation and alteration.

Trains are now running normally on the Southend Victoria to Shenfield and Liverpool Street line.

Full details of cancelled and altered trains can be found on our JourneyCheck page here http://www.journeycheck.com/greateranglia.

Customers planning to travel today are advised to check before setting out.

Greater Anglia will continue to update this webpage and our Twitter feed: @greateranglia


0415 - Flood warning downgraded

There are now six severe flood warnings in Essex.

There is still some risk to properties but the high tides have passed and whilst the full picture will not be known for some time, it appears that the county has fortunately not seen the same conditions as other parts of the country.

The Environment Agency will be out assessing the flood defences to determine if any remedial work needs to be carried out.

The majority of the people who were evacuated from their homes have now left the rest centres.

Chief Superintendent Simon Williams, Gold Commander said: "Contingency plans were implemented to protect the communities of Essex.

"All emergency services and authorities have worked tirelessly through the night to minimise the threat to the lives of those in the county.

"We are grateful for the additional support provided by military personnel from the Colchester Garrison and by mutual aid supplied by the Metropolitan Police."

Anyone who wants to know the latest situation regarding the risk of flooding in their area should contact the Environment Agency hotline on 0845 988 1188 or visit their website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood


2356 - Jaywick seawall breached

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service say the seawall in Jaywick at Hillman Avenue has been breached.

It has launched its boat team in readiness for this happening.

Fire crews have been deployed in Jaywick and Clacton to help evacuate people from homes there.

 

2145 - Seven more severe flood warnings in Essex

Seven more severe flood warnings have been put in place in Essex. They are:

  • Manningtree 
  • Hamford Water (Dovercourt to Walton) 
  • Heybridge Basin (River Blackwater) 
  • Maldon to Maylandsea 
  • Creeksea to Battlesbridge (River Crouch) 
  • Paglesham, Rochford, Potton Island and the Wakerings 
  • Harwich to Mistley (Stour Estuary)
More than 5,000 homes could be affected. Essex Police say they will be working to contact residents and evacuate them from their homes.
 
For Manningtree, the evacuation point is the Co-op store, Riverside East where you will be transported to the rest centre at Leisure World, Colchester.
 
A rest centre is being set up for Maldon residents at the Upper and Lower Plume Schools.
 
The evacuation area for residents in Hamford Water (Dovercourt) is the Harwich and Dovercourt High School in Hall Lane. People will be taken from here to the rest centre at Leisure World in Colchester. 
 
They are added to the severe flood warnings already in place for Jaywick, Seawick and Mersea Island areas.
 
Essex Police and its partner agencies have set up a dedicated hotline that people can call for more information. It is 0800 096 1233.
 

2015 - Homes in West Mersea being evacuated

Homes at risk of flooding are now being evacuated. A rest centre is being set up at the Mersea Centre (MICA) on the High Street.

The streets within the evacuation zone are:

  • Carriers Close 
  • Coast Road (Vicinity of West Mersea yacht club) 
  • Goings Lane 
  • Shears Crescent 
  • Kingsland Beach 
  • The Lane (west end only)


1930 - Latest flood warnings from Environment Agency

SEVERE FLOOD WARNING - Danger to Life and Property 

  • The coast from Clacton to Lee Wick 
  • West Mersea, The Strood and adjacent marshland 

FLOOD WARNING - Flooding is expected, Immediate action required 

  • East Mersea 
  • Maldon Town waterfront and the Hythe 
  • Tidal River Colne at Point Clear and Saint Osyth Creek 
  • Tidal River Colne from Brightlingsea to the Colne Barrier 
  • Holland Marshes - Parkeston Quay and the Ramsey River 
  • Harwich Town, Dovercourt and Bathside bay 
  • Manningtree Town 
  • Walton-on-the-Naze 
  • Hamford Water 
  • Tidal Stour Estuary 

FLOOD ALERT - Flooding is possible, Be prepared 

  • Essex Coast from Leigh-on-Sea to Purfleet including Canvey Island, Tilbury and Dartford 
  • Essex Coast from Shoeburyness to Southend Sea Front including Southchurch Park 
  • The Essex Coast from St Peters Flat to Shoeburyness including the Crouch and Roach Estuaries
  • The Suffolk and Essex Coast from Felixstowe to Clacton including Orwell and Stour Estuaries 
  • The Essex Coast from Clacton to St Peters Flat including the Rivers Colne and Blackwater Estuaries


1500 - Rest centre information

Details of the Rest Centres are as follows: 

  • Clacton County High School is set up as rest centre now for 500. Once the school closes as normal at 3.10pm they will be able to take more people
  • No decision has been made yet as to whether the school will close tomorrow. That will be taken later today. The school’s website will be updated with information.
  • Clacton Coastal Academy is setting up rest centre for around 500 people. The school is not closing early. It has a non-pupil day tomorrow so will be able to keep people. 
  • Clacton Leisure Centre is being set up for 500 people. 
Essex Police and its partners have set up a dedicated hotline that people can call for information. The number is 0800 0961233. 
 

1345 - Latest advice from the NHS

Evacuate when told
  • Follow the advice of emergency services if they tell you to evacuate - they will take you to a safe place and give you food and bedding
  • Bring warm clothing, sensible shoes and baby care items 
  • Bring medication and recent prescriptions
  • Bring any medical advice or notes about your care needs that you have been given by nurses, doctors or social care
  • Tell someone if you intend to stay with friends or relatives instead of the evacuation centre
  • Bring emergency contact details for family members or anyone who needs to know that you have been moved to a safe place

Stay out of floodwater

Infection problems from floods in this country are rare. Usually any harmful bugs become diluted but there are a few precautions you can take to stay safe and healthy:
  • Avoid walking or driving through flood water
  • Be aware that flooding can cause manhole covers to come off
  • Keep children and vulnerable people out of floodwater
  • Don’t walk on sea defences or riverbanks
  • Take care or avoid crossing bridges when water levels are high
  • Take care crossing culverts as they are dangerous when flooded
  • Look out for other hazards such as fallen power lines and trees
  • Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater as it may be contaminated. Use warm water and soap especially after going to the toilet or before eating and preparing food. Use cold water or wet wipes if there is no water at all.
  • Keep any open cuts or sores clean and cover with waterproof plasters
  • The stress and strain of a flood should not be underestimated. Take time to consider your mental health and well being. Do not overdo it when cleaning up and remember that tiredness, difficulty sleeping and anxiety are normal in these circumstances.


1330 - Evacuation zone announced

An evacuation zone is now in place in Jaywick.

The streets affected are: 

Alvis Avenue, April's View, Austin Avenue, Badminton Road, Beach Crescent, Beach Way, Belsize Avenue, Bentley Avenue, Broadway, Broadway, Brooklands, Brooklands Gardens, Buick Avenue, Cornflower Road, Crossley Avenue, Crossways (between j/w The Approach and Golf Green), Daimler Avenue, Essex Avenue, Fern Way, Fiat Avenue, Fir Way, Flowers Way, Garden Road, Glebe Way, Golf Green Road, Gorse Way, Hillman Avenue, Humber Avenue, Jasmine Way, Lake Way, Lanchester Avenue, Lavender Walk, Lincoln Avenue, Lotus Way, Meadow Way, Midway, Morris Avenue, Napier Avenue, Riley Avenue, Rosemary Way, Rover Avenue, Sea Crescent, Sea Glebe Way, Sea Holly Way, Sea Pink Way, Sea Shell Way, Sea Thistle Way, Sea Way, Singer Avenue, St. Christopher's Way, Standard Avenue, Sunbeam Avenue, Swift Avenue, Talbot Avenue, Tamarisk Way, The Close, Triumph Avenue, Vauxhaull Avenue, Willow Way, Wolseley Avenue, Yew Way.

 

1200 - Essex Police advise residents in some parts of Jaywick to evacuate their homes

Essex Police has advised people living in parts of Jaywick to evacuate their homes in preparation of the tidal surge.

Residents who do evacuate are being encouraged to pack essential belongings and stay overnight with friends and relatives where possible.

A number of evacuation assembly points have been set up where people can go.

They are:

  • Jaywick Community Resource Centre in Brooklands, Jaywick 
  • The Golf Green Trust Hall, Golf Green Road, Jaywick. 
  • Clacton on Sea Golf Club in West Road, Clacton. 
  • Orchard Holiday Village, Point Clear 
  • Hutleys Caravan Park, Seawick 
  • The Free Church in Mill Road, West Mersea - Rest Centre for overnight assistance


0900 - Environment Agency issue three severe flood warnings

The Environment Agency has issued three severe flood warning for parts of Essex.

High tides are expected to hit West Mersea, Clacton and Jaywick, and Mistley and Brantham.

A severe flood warning is in place there for high tides and stong winds which are due to arrive at about 1.15am tomorrow (Friday 6 December).

This is the highest level of alert issued by the Environment Agency which warns there could be a danger to life.

Flooding is expected for marshland around Mersea Island, The Strood and waterside properties in West Mersea, including those on Shears Crescent, Coast Road, Seaview holiday park and Waldegraves holiday park.

The Envirnment Agency has issued the following advice to residents:

  • Act now to protect yourself, family, pets and valuables
  • Be prepared for power cuts and loss of services
  • Stay in a high place with a means of escape
  • Be ready should you need to evacuate from your home
  • Co-operate with the emergency services and call 999 if you are in immediate danger
  • Call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for up-to-date flooding information
  • The Environment Agency website contains details of river level and flooding information and can be accessed at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.