Massive Tidal Surge Warning In Britain

A combination of strong storm activity coinciding with a very high tide is expected to send a nine-foot tidal surge roaring down the English Channel. British authorities are warning of "extreme danger to life and property".

A three-metre tidal surge is predicted to surge down the English Channel in the next 12 hours posing an "extreme danger to life and property", experts have warned.

Coupled with storms and high tides, the wave could leave swathes of the east coast under water, according to the Environment Agency.

A combination of gale force winds off the coast of Scotland and high tides are expected to cause floods which could breach sea defences.

Emergency crews are on high alert and authorities are spreading the word as quickly as possible. Conditions are said to be virtually identical to a similar event in 1953 which killed 300 people.

The Environment Agency spokesman likened the current conditions to those leading up to the floods of 1953. More than 300 people were killed when a surge from the North Sea flooded almost 100,000 hectares of eastern England.

"In 1953, there was a 3.2-metre surge and also high tides and a storm. It's comparable but we're much better prepared now," he said.

Nine severe weather warnings have been issued covering coastal areas from the north-east to Anglia.

If you live in Eastern Britain, pay attention to the warnings. This looks to be a potentially devastating event. (They have pictures from the 1953 surge at the link.)

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  By crosspatch, November 8, 2007 @ 11:11 pm

  And once the surge passes there will be dozens of stranded polar bears on roofs all across England and The Netherlands.

Other Links to this Post

1. Blue Crab Boulevard » Britain Gets Lucky — November 9, 2007 @ 7:05 am