These photos above were taken on Boxing Day 2013 As yet nothing has been done to stop the sea using this passage way into the marsh
but the photo below taken from same position a month later shows thatr the sea is beginning to block its entrance to its cutting through to the marsh!

taken by Andrew Wigley Flood Warden

same view taken by Val 2 weeks later at low tide

Welcome to our first update after the tidal surge which struck the eastern coast of England on the night of 5th – 6th December. We will provide you with regular updates as recovery progresses. Please do pass this information on to anyone that you feel would find it helpful. Your feedback about the content is very welcome as this will help us to shape future updates.

We hope that you find this help. The contact for you and your communities in Norfolk is Steve Hayman who is our Flood Ambassador for this county.
Steve can be contacted on 01473 706052.

Overview

The tidal surge which struck the eastern coast of England on the night of 5th – 6th December was a significant flood event. In Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex it was the largest surge since the great flood of 1953 in most locations and in a number of places the water height exceeded that experienced 60 years ago.

We issued warnings and severe flood warnings 14 – 20 hours in advance of the tide. In total 33 severe flood warnings and 73 flood warnings were issued where either danger to life and/or flooding were expected. These were the trigger for the emergency services and the public to put their plans for such an event into action.

The tide was in excess of 1953 at Wells next the Sea and along the North Norfolk Coast. Flooding was significant in Wells, Blakeney and Cley. Substantial damage to property was focussed at Walcott where some homes were destroyed. At Great Yarmouth, although the water height exceeded 1953 levels, flood damage was limited in its extent. However, at Hemsby some properties in the dunes were sadly lost to the sea.

Suffolk saw the most extensive flooding in an urban area at Lowestoft. Many properties were flooded and both bridges were closed, effectively cutting the town in half. The railway station was put out of action and remained so for a number of days. In Oulton Broad water depths within properties exceeded a metre, causing significant damage.

Further south in Ipswich there was limited flooding at a number of locations with the damage being focussed on the estuaries of the Deben, Blyth, Alde and Ore and Stour and Orwell. Ipswich and Felixstowe escaped substantial damage but Waldringfield suffered significant flooding on the Deben frontage where levels were again in excess of 1953.

Essex saw limited damage. The water reached the top of the wall at Jaywick. However the light winds at the time of high tide meant a major flood was averted. Flooding happended in Manningtree, Mistley, Brightlingsea and on West Mersea.

What’s happening in Norfolk now?

We are focussing our efforts on the people and property as a matter of urgency. Below is a summary of the flooding experienced along the Norfolk coast and our action so far.

Blakeney West to Morston East

The wall here has limited damage. The bank will be jointly rebuilt by our staff and contractors.

Blakeney Freshes

The frontage suffered multiple breaches and repairing those will be both costly and challenging. We are assessing fully the environmental impacts and engaging with other environmental bodies and partners as we work towards a conclusion.

Brancaster East Bank

This frontage also suffered multiple breaches and extensive overtopping of the bank. Compensatory habitat for freshwater habitat losses is not confirmed as yet. We are engaging with Natural England to determine the future management of banks.

Brancaster West Bank

There were multiple breaches and extensive overtopping of the bank. Compensatory habitat for freshwater habitat losses is not yet confirmed, and as above we are engaging with Natural England to determine future management of banks. We are aware that the golf club was flooded. The defence responsible for providing protection to people and properties in Brancaster performed well and sustained no damage. No residential properties were flooded.

Burnham Deepdale

This area was also badly breached and we are in the process of establishing the cost of repairing the wall. Emergency works took place here on 6 December to repair one breach and further work is planned for other breaches.

Burnham Norton Cross Bank

We have completed repairs to stop the immediate flooding to property but more work is required as there is damage to the cross bank. Compensatory habitat for freshwater habitat losses is not confirmed, we are engaging with Natural England to determine future management of banks.

Salthouse Shingle Ridge

The Salthouse Shingle Ridge, although lowering in height performed well and did not breach. (??) (see 2nd letter dated 19th Dec)

12 December 2013

If I can help further just ask.

Kind regards