AS Colchester and many surrounding areas suffered another deluge this week, we took a look back at some of the most devastating floods our region has seen in the past.

In February 1953, a huge storm pushed a great tide into the east coast, which breached Essex sea walls in 300 places and spelt disaster for residents in Mersea, Jaywick and Harwich. 

A total of 104 people died in Essex, including 35 in Jaywick, eight in Harwich and 61 across south Essex.

The Essex County Standard reported horrific stories from the floods on February 6, including one about Marie Miles, 42, who perished in the floods in Jaywick.

Paralysed from the waist down and watching the floods approach her bungalow, she managed to phone her two friends, Mr and Mrs Reeves, of Rosemary Way, who saved themselves and their young children by climbing into a loft before the water struck.

Miss Miles was unable to escape the torrent as it flooded her bungalow.

Along the coast, 3,500 people were left homeless in Harwich.

A total of 50,000 acres of farm land were left underwater and thousands of cattle, pigs and chickens were lost to the floods. 

- Do you have any pictures of bad flooding in years gone by? Send them to gazette.news@nqe.com