Floods in Norfolk and what is being done to prevent them

Anglia television’s ‘Here and Now’ short documentary featuring archive footage and interviews with East Anglia residents looking back at the devastation of the 1953 North Sea floods.

Presenter Dick Graham commentates, complimented by archive footage from January 1953, of the devastating effects of flood water on the landscape and buildings of East Anglia. Including footage of the partly collapsed “Beach Hotel” building [possibly at Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire] and featuring the many people who attempted to control the flow of water and rescue their neighbours. In the village of Sea Palling, near Great Yarmouth, 7 lives were taken. An interview with Mr Kenneth Cotton, Chief Engineer, and representative of The East Suffolk and Norfolk River Board, discusses the measures put in place, including the rebuilding of sea defences following the flood devastation. Mr Holmes, a grocer, recalls his thoughts and actions on the day of the flood, which destroyed his Sea Palling shop. Other residents, a husband and wife, recount the story of returning to their property once the flood water had subsided. Further along the coast, Blakeney resident Mr Long gives his personal account of events and the anxiety it caused on that fateful day in January 1953.

Featured Buildings

“Beach Hotel” (partly collapsed) building [possibly at Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire]

Featured Events

North Sea floods affecting East Anglia 31st January 1953

Keywords

Flood damage; Floods; Sea defences

Other Places

Blakeney, Norfolk