Environment Secretary Hilary Benn tonight strengthened warnings of severe flooding over the next 48 hours from a tidal surge expected to hit the coast of England.
The Environment Agency warned of a "major" tidal surge - rising from a combination of gale force winds and a high tide - to hit the east coast of England. Severe flood warnings are in place along much of the Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent coasts and across the Anglian region.
The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers will close at 8pm tonight to defend against the surge, the agency said. In a brief statement to the Commons, Mr Benn warned of potentially serious flooding over the next 48 hours.
Police are on standby in the areas most likely to be affected to co-ordinate the emergency response - including evacuation if necessary, he said.
Mr Benn told MPs: "A tidal surge of up to three metres is making its way down the North Sea which could coincide with peak high tides.
"There is a risk of flood defences being over-topped on the coast and in tidal rivers, especially in East Anglia, particularly the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth including Lowestoft, and areas south of this as far as the coast of Kent."
He added: "In the area as a whole there are currently six severe flood warnings, five flood warnings and 15 flood watches. There are also several flood warnings and flood watches in place in Yorkshire."
An Environment Agency spokesman said the surge had been caused by gale force winds in Scotland making their way down the coast of England combined with a high tide.
PA