Residents were evacuated from Heybridge Basin and Maldon last night as the tidal surge hit the Essex coastline.

Rest centres were set up at Plume School.

Ten fire engines were in Maldon to assist police and military in evacuating homes after severe flood warnings were declared in that part of the county.

Flood warnings remain in place for this afternoon's high tides.

The Environment Agency has put out a warning for:

* The south bank of the Blackwater estuary from Maldon to Maylandsea, including Osea Island. The forecast high water is due at 2pm. The predicted astronomical tide level is 2.54m and forecast surge height is 0.78m.

* North bank of the Blackwater estuary from Goldhanger to Maldon, including Heybridge Basin. The forecast high water is due at 2pm. The predicted astronomical tide level is 2.54m and forecast surge height is 0.78m.

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