A COUPLE were surprised after leaving their car for a moment – and coming back to a spring tide flooding.

Camera club member Lynn Whitmore was out in Tollesbury with her partner earlier this week and parked at the sailing club car park.

Unbeknownst to them, there was a high spring tide on the way which ended up flooding the footwells of the car.

She managed to get a snap of the flooding which also affected another parked car.

She said: “We had no idea.

“We are going to go back to see if there are any tidal warnings as we saw none, just ‘Liable to flooding’ which suggests exceptional circumstances.

“Bit of a shock to see water four inches above the door seal.

“It was my partner’s relatively new pre-owned car.

“Fortunately, it wasn’t my decision to park there as I’d never live it down!”

Despite the waterlogged car, she had a nice day on a walk around the area taking photos and the car was able to start.

The Tollesbury area is no stranger to flooding.

Gazette: Wet - water at the sail lofts. Photo Lynn WhitmoreWet - water at the sail lofts. Photo Lynn Whitmore

Wivenhoe resident Terry Garland said: “Tides affect many places around here.

“Full moon or new moon equals spring tides and on the Essex coast, spring tide time is about midday.

“Convenient if you’re living on Mersea Island as one can get off in morning and back in evening.

“Quite a few people get caught out in Wivenhoe where Bethany Street is tidal even with the barrier.

“The clue at Tollesbury is that the sail lofts are built some two feet off the ground.”

A flood warning was sent for tomorrow (April 1) with flooding possible between 2am and 4am on the north Essex coast.

This affects areas such as Clacton, Brightlingsea, Mersea and Maldon.

A Government spokesman said: “Take care on coastal roads and footpaths and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger.”