The Environment Agency is warning communities along the East Coast to prepare for the most serious coastal tidal surge for at least 30 years.
In some places, sea levels could be as high as those during the floods in 1953, although improved defences since then mean that the Environment Agency is better prepared. Evacuations are already underway in some areas, including Great Yarmouth and Jaywick.
Sea defences are expected to be breached on the north Norfolk coast between Wells and Salthouse, and also at Walcott, meaning that those areas will be at risk of flooding.
Defences are also expected to be breached at Yarmouth – there’s an ‘imminent likelihood of severe flooding’ – and rivers won’t be able to drain into the sea.
The floodplains of the Waveney, Yare and Bure are also at risk of flooding.
AHVLA (Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency) has confirmed to Norfolk Trading Standards that, even if standstill restrictions are currently in place, where floods are occurring this is considered as an emergency situation and so livestock can be moved before the standstill period is up. Animal keepers must, however, immediately apply retrospectively for a movement licence from AHVLA.
Where animals are moved under this emergency scenario to premises where livestock is already kept, standstill restrictions will apply.
Make sure you stay in touch with the very latest situation for East Anglia on the Environment Agency website. A live flood warnings map can be found here. More information is also available on NFU Online.