• Clacton County High School is now set up as rest centre for 500. Once the school closes as normal at 3.10pm they will be able to take more people. No decision has been made yet as to whether the school will close tomorrow. That will be taken later today. The school’s website will be updated with information. 
  • The Environment Agency has confirmed the Colne Barrier at Wivenhoe will be closed later today before the tide - which should provide complete protection for homes upstream ofand including Wivenhoe.
  • Brightlingsea Town Council has 500 sandbags for at risk residents - Colne Road is deemed at highest risk with the most of the town high enough above sea level.
  • Brightlingsea mayor Ian Block says town council staff are all working to prevent flooding and the town could be an island by tomorrow morning.
  • Jaywick residents are being asked if they want to be evacuated later this evening. Emergency services are knocking on 2,000 doors in the village so they have people's addresses in the event of a tidal surge in the middle of the night.
  • Essex Police and its partners have set up a dedicated hotline that people can call for information. The number is 0800 0961233.

The following streets are set to be evacuated: 

  • Alvis Avenue, April's View, Austin Avenue
  • Badminton Road, Beach Crescent, Beach Way, Belsize Avenue, Bentley Avenue, Broadway, Brooklands, Brooklands Gardens, Buick Avenue.
  • Cornflower Road, Crossley Avenue, Crossways (between j/w The Approach and Golf Green),
  • Daimler Avenue,
  • Essex Avenue,
  • Fern Way, Fiat Avenue, Fir Way, Flowers Way,
  • Garden Road, Glebe Way, Golf Green Road, Gorse Way
  • Hillman Avenue, Humber Avenue
  • Jasmine Way
  • Lake Way, Lanchester Avenue, Lavender Walk, Lincoln Avenue, Lotus Way
  • Meadow Way, Midway, Morris Avenue
  • Napier Avenue
  • Riley Avenue, Rosemary Way, Rover Avenue
  • Sea Crescent, Sea Glebe Way, Sea Holly Way, Sea Pink Way, Sea Shell Way, Sea Thistle Way, Sea Way, Singer Avenue, St. Christopher's Way, Standard Avenue, Sunbeam Avenue, Swift Avenue
  • Talbot Avenue, Tamarisk Way, The Close, Triumph Avenue
  • Vauxhaull Avenue
  • Willow Way, Wolseley Avenue
  • Yew Way

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

PARTS of Jaywick are set to be evacuated as the area prepares for the worst flood in 30 years.

The Environment Agency issued a severe flood warning for the Clacton and Jaywick area.

Essex Police confirmed it was planning to evacuate parts of Jaywick.

Details of the areas affected are still to be confirmed.

There are also severe flood warnings for West Mersea, Point Clear, Jaywick and Seawick.

Key risk times are high tides at midnight and tomorrow between midday and 1pm.

Residents who may be evacuated are being encouraged to pack essential belongings and stay overnight with friends and relatives where possible.

In the event residents are not able to stay with friends and relatives they can go to Evacuation Assembly Points from where they will be transported to a suitable rest centre, where they can take shelter overnight.

Evacuation Assembly Points are in the following locations:

  • Jaywick Community Resource Centre in Brooklands, Jaywick.
  • The Golf Green Trust Hall, Golf Green Road, Jaywick.
  • Clacton on Sea Golf Club in West Road, Clacton.
  • Point Clear, Orchard Holiday Village
  • Seawick, Hutleys Caravan Park
  • West Mersea, The Free Church in Mill Road

Rest Centre:

  • Clacton County High School

Chief Inspector of Essex Police Richard Phillibrown said: "Emergency planners from the Essex Resilience Forum, including Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, local councils and the Environment Agency are working together to respond to this weather warning.

"We are urging residents not to panic and to please react to directions given to them by the emergency services.

"We would like to reassure the public that we have activated our contingency plans and are experienced in dealing with large scale operations.”

n Colchester Council has confirmed officers are handing out sandbags to Mersea Island residents

North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group has put together the following advice for people who may be evacuated:

• Follow the advice of emergency services if they tell you to evacuate - they will take you to a safe place and give you food and bedding

• Bring warm clothing, sensible shoes and baby care items

• Bring medication and recent prescriptions

• Bring any medical advice or notes about your care needs that you have been given by nurses, doctors or social care

• Tell someone if you intend to stay with friends or relatives instead of the evacuation centre

• Bring emergency contact details for family members or anyone who needs to know that you have been moved to a safe place

Stay out of floodwater

Infection problems from floods in this country are rare. Usually any harmful bugs become diluted but there are a few precautions you can take to stay safe and healthy:

• Avoid walking or driving through flood water

• Be aware that flooding can cause manhole covers to come off

• Keep children and vulnerable people out of floodwater

• Don’t walk on sea defences or riverbanks

• Take care or avoid crossing bridges when water levels are high

• Take care crossing culverts as they are dangerous when flooded

• Look out for other hazards such as fallen power lines and trees

• Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch floodwater as it may be contaminated. Use warm water and soap especially after going to the toilet or before eating and preparing food. Use cold water or wet wipes if there is no water at all.

• Keep any open cuts or sores clean and cover with waterproof plasters

• The stress and strain of a flood should not be underestimated. Take time to consider your mental health and well being. Do not overdo it when cleaning up and remember that tiredness, difficulty sleeping and anxiety are normal in these circumstances