Yahoo News The Essex island devastated by a flood in one of Britain's worst ever natural disasters
More than 70 years ago an Essex island was devastated by a severe storm and floods. The catastrophic floods brought some of the darkest days in the county's history as more than 100 people died.
Canvey Island was one of many areas to be swept underwater by the floods on January 31 in 1953. The tides increased in size between England and Holland, building to 2.5 metres above the spring tide level, and eased past the sea defences.
Government documents have previously described it as "one of the worst peacetime disasters ever to strike Britain, considerable with some of the worst bombing raids of the Blitz". Canvey was the most heavily impacted by the floods.
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Thirteen thousand people were evacuated from their homes and businesses as water filled roads. Fifty nine of the 119 people who died in Essex were from Canvey Island too.
Sir Bernard Braine, then MP for Canvey, spoke about the incredible response by his constituents. In an archived BBC interview, he said: "The people of Canvey Island behaved in a truly heroic way. People rallied to help neighbours and there are some remarkable rescue stories."
More than 300 people died in England but the effects were far worse overseas where more than 1,800 died in the Netherlands. In Jaywick 37 people were killed which at the time was around five per cent of the population.
Cllr John Jowers, Deputy Mayor of Colchester, was a young boy living on Mersea Island at the time. He told the Essex Climate website : "As a young boy, I recall the events of that night living on Mersea Island, but it is for many others a particularly poignant realisation that there was almost a total lack of warnings which could have saved lives. So, while the first impact was felt in Lincolnshire, the people of Essex were unaware of the events unfolding and were still enjoying an ordinary Saturday evening.
"As we approach the anniversary, when even fewer of those with first-hand memories are still with us, it is appropriate to remember, reflect and focus on what we can do to support our communities, whatever our roles might be. We have significantly improved our flood defences in Essex, but we can never be complacent, and we hope that none of our communities ever have to face the tragic events of January 1953 again."
In 2022 work began on a £75m project to keep homes and businesses in Canvey Island protected from flooding. Much of Canvey Island lies below the daily high-water level in the Thames Estuary and the tidal defences play a critical role in reducing the risk of flooding.
James Mason, Operations Manager for the Environment Agency, said at the time: "This project is essential to managing the risk of flooding for thousands of people, homes and businesses on Canvey Island. The existing revetment along the southern shoreline is starting to reach the end of its useful life.
"This investment in Canvey Island’s tidal defences will ensure they continue to benefit the community on Canvey Island to 2070. We are already seeing the impacts of climate change in the UK. Which is why schemes such as this are needed."
