East Coast Floods 70 Years Ago

Tuesday, 31 January 2023 09:16

The 31st January marks the 70th anniversary of unprecedented flooding from the North Sea, which caused havoc and upheaval along the Suffolk coast.

The 31st January marks the 70th anniversary of unprecedented flooding from the North Sea, which caused havoc and upheaval along the Suffolk coast. Unlike its counterpart in Great Yarmouth, no-one died on land in Lowestoft on January 31st 1953 - where the sea surged over 2.3m higher - but sadly in Southwold a life was lost. Meanwhile, 11 people died on the Lowestoft trawler Guava out to sea - and a memorial plaque is being unveiled on the South Pier today (31st January). Photos from 70 years ago can been seen at Lowestoft's Heritage Centre in the High Street, whilst a special exhibition is open this week at The Grit in Old Nelson Street. This image from the Heritage Centre in Lowestoft, shows a flooded St John's church, which once stood at the corner of Belevdere Road and today's London Road South. Meanwhile, the image below from the Lowestoft Heritage Centre display shows flood water receding from the Beach Village but pickling area stil submerged. Details from the Met Office on the weather associated with the North Sea storm surge can be found here .