People living by UK east coasts, scotland and ireland : next 12 hours

Tidal wave heading for English Channel poses 'extreme danger to life'

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.

? Nine severe flood warnings issued by Environment Agency

? Surge expected to hit east coast in next 12 hours

? Police on standby to evacuate homes

? Dartford Creek and Thames barriers to close at 8pm

The surge is expected to hit the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coastline from early tomorrow morning.

About 8,000 properties in Great Yarmouth and 1,800 in Lowestoft could be at risk.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called a special COBRA Cabinet Office meeting to coordinate an emergency reponse.

In a statement to the Commons tonight, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said police were on standby in the areas most likely to be affected to evacuate homes if necessary.

"A tidal surge of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea which could coincide with peak high-tides," he said.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We're warning people there's an extreme danger to life and property.

"There is a risk of flood defences being over-topped on the coast and in tidal rivers, especially in East Anglia, particularly the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth including Lowestoft, and areas south of this as far as the coast of Kent."

The 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.

The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers will close at about 8pm tonight to cope with the expected high water.

Water levels will rise and ebb with the tide, the spokesman said.

Along with the six severe flood warnings for the Anglia region, a further three flood warnings have been issued across the North East.

Residents along the Kent coast, from the north of the county to Sandwich and Deal, could also wake up to localised flooding. The Dover District Council has also been alerted.

The agency has asked the public to be vigilant and to watch weather and tide warnings from tonight until tomorrow night.

The spokesman said: "We would urge anyone who receives a flood warning to check that their neighbours are aware of the warning.

"We will also have Environment Agency staff out warning people if the risk of flooding does get worse."

European forecasters today warned of high winds, extreme snowfall and avalanches.

Earlier today Dutch port authorities prepared to close Europe's largest harbour in Rotterdam to defend against predicted storm surges and winds of up to 60mph.

Gusts of up to 78mph were expected in Germany and Denmark and "extreme" amounts of fresh snow were forecast on the northern fringe of the Alps.

The Environment Agency is advising worried homeowners to call the floodline: 0845 988 1188.