PEOPLE in up to 2,500 homes on the Clacton coastline are set to be evacuated this morning in a bid to prevent a repeat of the 1953 flood disaster, which claimed 35 lives in Jaywick.

As the risk of a storm surge flood continues to grow, the emergency services are urging residents to follow official advice in a bid to reduce the risk to lives.

Homes most at risk of flooding include Jaywick and Lee-Over-Sands.

A massive evacuation operation is due to get underway from 7am today, with at-risk residents being taken to an evacuation centre at the former Bishops Park College in Jaywick Lane.

A 'perfect storm' of high tides, strong winds and heavy rain threatens to create a deadly storm surge, hitting the Clacton coast at lunchtime.

Gazette reporters will be covering the story from the scene as it unfolds - keep watching clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk for the latest.  

The authorities cannot force people to leave their homes, but are urging residents to follow this official advice:

• Work with local officers to ensure they follow advice about evacuations.

• Pack a bag of clothes and have essential medical items ready to leave home.

• Ensure valuables or expensive electrical items, such as televisions, are stored in higher areas in homes in case of flooding.

• Contact friends or relatives who live outside Jaywick to see if there is somewhere else they can stay.

The public are advised to contact the police on non-emergency number 101 if they  have any concerns about their safety or that of their family's.

In an emergency the public should call 999. People can also call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 988 1188 for the latest flood warnings in their area.