A decade has passed since a tidal surge hit the east coast of England and brought chaos to Suffolk towns and villages. 

On December 5, 2013, a large storm coupled with high tides generated a coastal surge along the whole of the east coast of the country. 

Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes around Suffolk, with a tidal surge predicted to be the worst since January 1953. 

Ipswich Star: The Crown at Snape was flooded in December 2013, Tony PickThe Crown at Snape was flooded in December 2013, Tony Pick (Image: Tony Pick)

The Environment Agency then issued 36 severe flood warnings for East Anglia - the highest category. It signified a threat to life. 

Nearly 100 people were evacuated from their homes in Southwold, with the town effectively cut off for about eight hours by rising water. A pavilion at the local rugby club and St Felix School became emergency refuges. 

 

Ipswich Star: Southwold promenade in December 2013 Picture: EDWARD MUNNSouthwold promenade in December 2013 Picture: EDWARD MUNN (Image: Edward Munn)

Brackenbury Leisure Centre in Felixstowe opened for people who had to leave their homes. In Essex, evacuees from Jaywick went to Clacton County High School. 

There were also rest centres in Leiston, Beccles and Lowestoft. Large parts of Lowestoft town centre were under water that night.

Firefighters had to rescue about 20 people in St John's Road and other southern parts of town. 

Ipswich Star: High water at Felixstowe Ferry by Stephen SquirrellHigh water at Felixstowe Ferry by Stephen Squirrell (Image: Stephen Squirrell)

By 9pm, about 1,000 homes in Suffolk and 1,200 in Essex had lost electrical power. 

By 11pm water was at the top of the beach at Aldeburgh and covered the quay at Orford.  

The River Orwell burst its banks in Ipswich just before midnight, with manhole covers pushed out by the force of water. The railway line to Ipswich was closed for five days because of the flooding. 

Ipswich Star: People in Aldeburgh preparing for the tidal surge in December 2013, Tony PickPeople in Aldeburgh preparing for the tidal surge in December 2013, Tony Pick (Image: Tony Pick)

In October this year, the county was battered by more storms with Storm Babet impacting communities around Suffolk, including Framlingham, Needham Market and Debenham. 

Almost £1million has been committed to bring in extra flood investigation specialists as more than 750 homes were affected by flooding and the number is expected to increase.

Storm Ciaran brought fierce winds to the county, resulting in the Orwell Bridge closing.

The Environment Agency continues to urge people to plan ahead for flooding by finding out if their property is in an at-risk area.

Ipswich Star: Southwold during the 2013 the storm surge, David Andrews/copyright citizenside.comSouthwold during the 2013 the storm surge, David Andrews/copyright citizenside.com (Image: David Andrews/copyright citizenside.com)