[Glenda]

Phew, looks like it was a 'worst case scenario exericise' as the surge lost a lot of its height and momentum. My parents were on a flood alert but not evacuated, and had no idea where to go anyhow.



Thousands go home after tide fear

Thousands of people who left their homes amid fears of flooding are returning after the biggest tidal surge for half a century. Fears of widespread flooding in eastern England have diminished as tides peaked without major breaches of sea defences. The waters were nearly 8in (20cm) lower than originally feared and passed without causing major damage.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said it had been a "close run thing" but that the worst was now over.

The North Sea surge had been moving south during Friday, combining with high tides and strong winds to create flooding risks along the coast.

Residents on the Kent coast had been told to remain vigilant due to high tides on Friday afternoon, but no major flooding was reported.

Earlier, Floods Recovery Minister John Healey and East of England Minister Barbara Follett visited Great Yarmouth to meet local people evacuated from their homes as a precaution.

The Environment Agency (EA) said the surge had "lost its power" by Friday lunchtime and no problems had been reported in the county as the high waters continued their way south.

The risks in the worst-hit areas in East Anglia, Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe and Lowestoft had passed, an EA spokesman added. Areas on the Lincolnshire coast, around the Humber and in the North East of England have been given the all-clear.

Felixstowe docks were closed, and rail company One suspended services between Lowestoft and Norwich due to flooding on the line.

Norfolk police said water had breached flood defences in the centre of Great Yarmouth but there was "no risk to persons or property".

(From BBC NEWS | England | Thousands go home after tide fear)