Flood warnings issued in north Cambridgeshire - including Wisbech, Guyhirn, Whittlesey, West Walton and Leverington - ahead of tidal surge

Flood warnings have been issued across areas in north Cambridgeshire.

The Environment Agency has today (January 13) issued a ‘be prepared’ warning to residents across the north of the county as a tidal surge is expected to move down the East coast later this evening.

Areas along the tidal River Welland, the Wash and tidal River Nene – including Wisbech, Guyhirn, Whittlesey, West Walton and Leverington – have all been warned that flooding is possible.

The latest update from the Environment agency says that the tidal surge will lead to “unusually high” water levels, and that high tides combined with strong winds are likely to “result in waves overtopping the flood defences.”

Flood gates were closed in Wisbech this morning following high tides 6.25am and at 6.40pm.

Fenland District Council has also issued a warning to residents in the area, to “stay away from the river banks or standing on the river bridges due to the risk of falling or being blown into the river.”

Cambridgeshire was affected by high tides in December 2013, but this year the combination of high spring tides and tidal surge is not expected to reach as high.

East Anglia has been affected by flooding already this morning, with hundreds of residents in north Norfolk being forced to evacuate their homes.

• For detailed flooding advice, visit http://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/9142/Flooding-Advice

• For the latest weather reports, visit http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ and tune in to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on 95.7FM or 96.0FM.

• For general advice on dealing with severe weather, visit www.fenland.gov.uk/emergency.