Communities along the length of the east coast of England should be braced for the most serious coastal tidal surge for over 30 years.

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Speaking in between meetings of the government's Cobra emergency response committee, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said, "There has been a combination of exceptionally high tides, a depression causing a surge in the North Sea, and very strong winds, which will mean there will be a significant impact on the East Coast. The purpose of [my] meeting was to make sure that preparations we had well in advance were working together  to benefit the public.

"I would urge everybody… to pay close attention to announcements by the Environment Agency, Department of Transport and Local government."

Winds of over 140mph have battered the East coast, causing one death and widespread disruption. The Environment Agency said this morning that gale-force winds, large waves and a tidal surge caused by low pressure will combine with high tides, causing a serious flooding risk throughout Thursday and Friday. The Agency said the effects of the extreme weather pattern would be felt over the weekend into Sunday.

According to the Agency, in some areas, sea levels could be as high as those during the devastating floods of 1953. However, flood defences built since then – including the Thames, Dartford and Hull Barriers – mean that many parts of the country are much better protected than in 1953.

Areas on the North Sea coast from Northumberland down to the Thames Estuary and Kent are all at risk of flooding. The tidal reaches of the River Trent, Nottinghamshire, could also be affected.

Homes in at-risk areas of Norfolk have been evacuated and EA announced that it would be closing the Thames Barrier on Thursday night to defend London from a tidal surge, in addition to operating other defences including those at Colne in Essex and Hull.

At 5pm on Thursday there were 41 severe flood warnings in effect, 35 of which were in the Anglian region, alongside 125 flood warnings and 73 flood alerts.