The East Coast and London tidal flood warning systems

Disastrous tidal flooding on the East Coast of England in 1953 was followed by the setting up of a flood warning system for the East Coast, and led to consideration being given to the feasibility of excluding dangerous surges from London by the construction of a tidal barrier across the Thames. Frequency estimates in connexion with the latter led in turn to the introduction of an improved warning system for London in 1968. This paper describes the physical setting and the nature of surges on the East Coast and in the Thames estuary, and the means used to forecast them; and refers to supporting investigational work. It discusses the means of disseminating warnings to those at risk and concludes by attempting to foresee how the system might develop.