Homes and businesses near to a Suffolk river are being advised to take “immediate action” in response to expected flooding early tomorrow, while some stretches of coastline are also on alert because of forecast tidal surges and strong winds.
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued the flood warnings to low lying properties near to the tidal stretch of the river Waveney, on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, such as around Oulton and Beccles.
The EA has also issued lesser flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible and people should “be prepared”, for parts of the Suffolk coast from Lowestoft to Bawdsey, including Southwold, Walberswick, Sizewell, Thorpeness, Aldeburgh and Orford.
The alerts were issued today because the EA says “strong winds and high surges may cause large waves and spray overtopping on the coast”.
“Tides are expected to be higher than usual and may cause minor flooding in low lying areas,” it adds.
The warning for the river Waveney is of greater severity, meaning people should take “immediate action”.
The EA said: “We are expecting high water levels due to the natural tide locking caused by high waters at Great Yarmouth, which is restricting the normal drainage out to sea of the Broads system at low tide.
“High levels in the Broads may last all day until the high tides have passed.
The peak danger for the coastal and river flooding comes at high tide, which, in Lowestoft, is 5.30am Sunday morning.
Winds are expected to reach strong gale conditions.
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