Flood warnings issued across UK over Christmas - full list of places hit by 'tidal surge'
The Environment Agency has said that tide locking will threaten some parts of the coast this Christmas.
Flood warnings have been issued in the UK ahead of Christmas, with Britons told that a tidal surge could break through defences in several parts of the country. The Environment Agency has told people to take "extreme care" next week, as officials fear a phenomenon named "tide locking" may endanger Britons living on the coast.
Tide locking occurs when raised sea levels prevent rivers from draining out to sea, causing localised flooding along river networks.
A low-pressure system and strong winds developing over the North Sea will push those tides up over Christmas.
Flooding is possible across the UK, but tidal surges are most likely in a few select locations.
According to the Environment Agency, surges are most likely in Suffolk and the Norfolk broads, where local leaders have raised the alarm.
Marcus Sibley, from the local area leadership team at the Environment Agency, advised people to stay clear of "swollen rivers and exposed coasts".
He said: "Please remember to take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades.
"We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and exposed coasts and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car."
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The Environment Agency has predicted that people living in East Norfolk and Suffolk coast can expect "smaller impacts" over the next few days, with flood-hit areas potentially including Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
The organisation has only issued three red warnings - indicating flooding is "expected" - for the east coast at the River Waveney between Norfolk and Suffolk, the River Yare in Norfolk, and Upper Hull today, with several dozen other areas on yellow flood alerts.
Flooding is possible in 57 other areas, with maps showing the vast majority clustered on the south coast and further inland between Portsmouth and the Cotswolds.
The warnings come ahead of a wet and windy Christmas period, with the Met Office predicting Atlantic frontal systems will bring "rain and strong winds" to some parts of the country.
The forecasters said rain would be heaviest in the west and northwest through the coming weekend, while the south is "generally drier" with occasional rain showers.
The agency expects a White Christmas - a single snowflake falling on December 25 - is likely this year, with Scotland expected to see some flurries.
Full list of flood alerts
Areas where flooding is expected:
Isolated low lying properties along the tidal River Waveney
Low lying properties in the Upper Hull catchment
Riverside properties along the tidal River Yare including Cantley, Brundall and Reedham
Areas where flooding is possible:
Chertsey Bourne
Ginge Brook
Groundwater flooding in Bramdean and Cheriton
Groundwater flooding in East Kent
Groundwater flooding in Finchdean, Dean Lane End and Rowlands Castle
Groundwater flooding in Hambledon
Groundwater flooding in Hursley
Groundwater flooding in Kings Somborne and Little Somborne
Groundwater flooding in the Cranborne Chase area
Groundwater flooding in the Lambourn Valley catchment
Groundwater flooding in the Meon Valley from East Meon to Soberton
Groundwater flooding in the Salisbury Plain area
Groundwater flooding in the West of Dorset
Groundwater flooding in Twyford and Hensting
Groundwater flooding in upper River Ems Valley
Groundwater flooding in Vernham Dean, Upton and the Bourne Valley
Groundwater flooding in villages surrounding Andover
Groundwater flooding in West Dean, Singleton, Charlton, East Dean and Chilgrove
Hundred Foot Washes in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk
Lower Avon and tributaries
Lower Frome and tributaries
Lower River Derwent
Lower River Soar in Leicestershire
Middle Avon and tributaries
River Bourne and tributaries
River Cherwell from Lower Heyford down to and including Oxford
River Churn and its tributaries
River Evenlode from Moreton in Marsh to Cassington and also the River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock
River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire from Brampton to Earith
River Hull Central catchment
River Kennet from Thatcham down to Reading
River Lugg south of Leominster
River Piddle and tributaries
River Ray and its tributaries from Shipton Lee to and including Islip
River Rhee in Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire
River Thame, Horsenden Stream and Chalgrove Brook
River Thames and its small tributaries from Calcutt to Lechlade
River Thames and tributaries from Buscot Wick down to Kings Lock
River Thames and tributaries in the Oxford area
River Thames for the Abingdon area
River Trent from Cromwell Weir to Gainsborough
River Windrush from Bourton to Newbridge
River Yeo and River Parrett Moors around Muchelney and Thorney
Severn Vyrnwy confluence
Somerset coast at Porlock Weir
Tern and Perry catchments
The River Waveney from Diss and the River Dove to Ellingham, including Bungay
The tidal Rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne
The tidal River Waveney from Ellingham to Breydon Water
The tidal River Yare from Thorpe St Andrew to Breydon Water
Tidal River Stour area from Fordwich to Stonar Cut
Tributaries of the lower River Witham from Blankney to Sleaford
Upper Avon River Swift and Clay Coton Brook
Upper River Derwent
Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water
Upper River Hull catchment
Weymouth Rivers and Streams.