UPDATE 9pm

Essex Police officers will be going door to door at homes in West Mersea which weather experts could be at risk of flooding tomorrow. 

Each resident will be given an evacuation plan. 

An emergency rest centre will be open at the Mica Centre, in High Street, from 8am tomorrow morning. 

A further centre will be set up in Leisure World, in Cowdray Avenue.

Police also say they understand residents may also choose to leave the island to stay with friends until the weather improves. 

Officers will be patrolling the Strood between 10am and 3pm tomorrow and noone will be allowed to cross to and from the island while the road is under water. 

Essex Police have issued the following advice:

• Work with local officers to ensure they follow advice and direction given about evacuations
• Pack a bag of clothes and have any essential medical items ready for when you need to leave home
• Ensure any valuables and/or expensive electrical items, such as televisions, are stored in higher areas in your home should there be a flood
• Contact friends or relatives who live outside of the risk area, to see if there is somewhere else you can stay.

.....

A 'DANGER to life' flood warning has been issued to West Mersea, The Strood and adjacent marshland.

Extreme weather conditions including high tides and strong wides are expected and the Environment Agency has issued the red warning.

Waterside properties in Shears Crescent, Coast Road and the Seaview and Waldegraves holiday parks are at risk and the forecast tide level is 3.58 metres.

The warning is in force until 3.30pm on Friday.

Relief centres will be opened on Mersea Island from 8am on Friday at the Mica Centre and Leisure World.

The Environment Agency say they are working with other officials and monitoring the situation.