On this page, you will find the latest information available from North East Lincolnshire Council regarding the current storm.

Update: 1130

We have been advised by Thorpe Park that they are having to turn the water off at the Fitties as they have a major water leak. They are hoping that it will not be off for too long while they deal with the problem.

Update 0920

As the clean up operation begins, teams from NELC’s neighbourhood services are assessing damage in the Cleethorpes sea front, Fitties and Yacht Club areas before taking whatever remedial action is required. That may take several hours as the tide goes out.

Below is some general advice if you have experienced flooding from the Local Resilience Forum.

• Contact your insurers as soon as possible and follow their advice. Most insurers have a 24hr helpline. Do not throw away damaged goods until your insurer has authorised you to do so. It is a good idea to take photographs of the damage.
• Check the safety of electricity and gas before use. A qualified electrician needs to check any electrical equipment and circuits that have been exposed to floodwater.
• Avoid contact with any remaining floodwater or items having had contact with floodwater unless wearing protective gloves / clothing
• Boil all tap water until it is declared safe by the water supply company
• Wash yours and your children’s hands frequently with bottled water if your supply has not been declared fit for use. Disinfect any children’s toys.
• Dispose of any contaminated food, including tinned food, defrosted food, and packaged food that have been exposed to floodwater
• Seek medical assistance if any health issues appear, especially flu like symptoms.
• Ventilate your property whilst taking care for security.
• Do not throw rubbish and furniture outdoors; wait for an organised collection.
• During these hard times, bogus / cowboy builders / traders are frequently offering their services. Make sure that you get a written quotation that is on letter headed paper with a landline contact number and address.

Update 0840

Small breach near Wonderland car park this morning, but no significant water reported on seafront, Fitties or Yacht Club area 

No further evacuating currently taking place

NELC contacting affected business to see what support we can offer

Respite centres being stood down, but can be re-activated if situation changes

Update 0820

Broadway Children’s Centre is closed today due to a fallen tree.

Last night we had more than 120 ex-service volunteers on standby to help if needed thanks to the support of the Armed Forces Committee.

Update 0715

Two respite centres currently operating at Freeman St, Salvation Army at Duncan St; three more- Children’s centres at Nunsthorpe Bradley Park, Scartho and Riverside being set up from 8am.

We’ve started re-evacuating vulnerable people who we helped return home by midnight last night.

We’re door knocking with police in the most critical areas to check the welfare of people and update them on the situation regarding this morning’s tide.

The beach is closed to all except businesses. The clean up operation is likely to begin following this morning’s high tide.

Update 0630 (Friday 6 December)

There is a flood warning in place for the high tide this morning at Cleethorpes sea front, and the wider Cleethorpes and Grimsby areas.

Some defences have were overtopped in the Cleethorpes area during yesterday evenings tide. This morning’s high tide levels are forecast to be lower than those experienced during Thursday.

Areas previously affected could be affected again.

People are warned to stay away from the coastal paths and promenades. Please do not drive or walk through flood water. Please remain vigilant.

Environment Agency officers are on the ground confirming the flood defences are in good working order, and are monitoring sea levels and wind directions.

Update 2030

We are not expecting any further significant problems this evening, but residents need to remain vigilant and aware of the possible 8.15am tidal surge in the morning.

Approximately 150 people have so far been evacuated at some point; vulnerable people will continue to be evacuated as appropriate in view of possible morning surge.

Water is across the lower prom at Cleethorpes, but most other roads are generally running smoothly.

Some people who have been in respite centres are now returning home.

Sandbags are to be deployed to the Fitties in preparation for possible morning surge.

Update 1900

Extra staff are in our call centre to deal with calls from the public. We’re reminding people not to go down to the sea front in Cleethorpes for their own safety.

People are reminded not to become isolated.

Drivers have been deployed to prioritise assisting vulnerable people within flood risk areas to transport them to appropriate locations, including respite centres.

Update 1830

The council is working with police and CarePlus to ensure vulnerable people we’re aware of are evacuated. If anyone either knows of someone we’ve missed or thinks they need help too, please call 01472 313131.

We’re appealing for people to keep away from likely affected areas, including the prom at Cleethorpes.

The road network is currently flowing relatively freely. We are continuing to work with the police to ensure this continues.

Local respite centres have been set up at:

• Grimsby Leisure Centre, Cromwell Road
• Grimsby Swimming Pool
• Grimsby Town Hall
• Grimsby Auditorium
• Bradley Pitches
• Riverside Childrens Centre
• Scartho Childrens Centre
• Nunsthorpe and Bradley Park Childrens Centre

We’re advising residents to remain vigilant through the evening – particularly around the high tide times (around 8pm and 8am).

Update 1630

Emergency procedures are coming into play ahead of the tidal surge that’s expected this evening.

The Environment Agency Flood Alert is now at its highest level and people in the flood risk area need to take action.

Flood sirens are sounding along the coast.

There is likely to be significant wave overtopping in this area, posing a potential risk to life.

Residents living in two storey buildings should move themselves to the second floor or relocate temporarily with family or friends.

Residents living in single storey buildings should relocate temporarily with family or friends.

Respite centres are being set up for vulnerable residents. For more information on respite centres please ring the Council on 01472 313131.

The time and date of the first forecast high water is from 18:45 on 05 Dec 2013

The council does not give out sandbags, you can make your If residents are concerned sandbags are available from local builders’ merchants in the area. The following had supplies available this afternoon.

• B&Q, Peaks Parkway, Robinson Street West, Grimsby, Lincolnshire DN32 9AW . 01472 359694
• Wickes, Unit A, Alexandra Retail Park, Corporation Rd, Grimsby, Lincolnshire DN31 1SG. 01472 251121
• B&Q Supercentre, Belvoir Road, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 0LQ . 01507 353140
• Jewson Ltd, Kings Rd, Immingham, Lincolnshire DN40 1AH. 01469 571471
• Jewson Ltd , Pyewipe Rd, Grimsby, Lincolnshire DN31 2QN. 01472 350205
• Travis Perkins Trading Co. Ltd, Port Offices, Cleethorpe Rd, Grimsby, South Humberside DN31 3LL . 01472 345471

Police are advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

The beach safety team has advised tenants on the Humberston Fitties to leave their properties and has advised sea front businesses to close.

If you know of any vulnerable people who might be affected by the floods please call the council on 01472 313131.

Advice on what to do during a flood is now available on the council website, www.nelincs.gov.uk along with the latest information available.

Teams, including health visitors and other health agencies are working together to contact vulnerable people about their needs.

Freshney Place will close at 5pm.

Be prepared for flooding.

• Tune in to the local radio and television stations and listen to the local radio and TV weather forecasts for advice from the emergency services.
• Alert neighbours, particularly the elderly
• Move car to higher ground
• Roll up carpets and rugs and move them out of harm’s way.
• Empty furniture drawers and cupboards. Place the contents and any furniture you can move upstairs.
• Any furniture you can’t move could be raised on bricks and pulled away from the wall
• Weigh down any furniture which is too heavy to move, to stop it from floating and damaging walls and windows.
• Fasten plastic bags around the legs of wooden furniture to help minimise absorption of water.
• If possible, take the curtains down or wrap them round the curtain pole.
• Move computer and other electrical equipment upstairs or above the anticipated water level.
• Turn off gas and electricity at the mains.
• Put plugs in sinks and weigh them down with something heavy to prevent backflow from the drains. Weigh down the toilet seat too.
• Disconnect electrical appliances.
• Check food and water supplies and take upstairs.
• Bring caged outdoor pets inside, and move all pets with food, water, bedding and litter trays upstairs.
• Store valuable or sentimental items and important documents upstairs or in a high place
• Any flood protection equipment, such as flood boards or airbrick covers put them in place.
• Do as much as you can in daylight.
• What to do during a flood
• Continue to listen to situation updates on your local radio and via Floodline 0845 988 1188.
• Keep dry and out of floodwater if possible there may be hidden hazards
• Stay in your property, if safe to do so, until advised otherwise by the emergency services or the floodwater has receded.
• Do not walk or drive through flowing floodwater
• If it is necessary to walk through shallow floodwater, take care for hidden holes, obstacles or other hazards
• Do not walk on river banks, sea defences or cross bridges over torrential rivers.
• Avoid contact with floodwater and wash any exposed parts before handling food or attending to wounds.
• If possible, move electrical equipment and furniture upstairs…

If evacuation becomes necessary advise the public to:

• Stay calm and do not panic.
• Police officers and / or other officials will try to visit all properties at risk to advise on the requirement to evacuate.
• If road conditions permit, move vehicles to unaffected areas and ask friends / family if you can share their parking facilities.
• You will hear about your evacuation point for transport and the location of the reception centre either verbally or by a leaflet.
• Try to check that any elderly / vulnerable family members or neighbours know about the evacuation.

Listen to the advice of the authorities and follow any instructions to leave a property.

Update: 1535

We are expecting a strong surge coinciding with high tide, resulting in severe tidal risk for areas near to the defences in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area. There is likely to be significant wave overtopping in this area, posing a potential risk to life.

The Grimsby and Cleethorpes sirens also will be sounded during Thursday afternoon.

Residents living in two storey buildings should move themselves to the second floor or relocate temporarily with family or friends.

Residents living in single storey buildings should relocate temporarily with family or friends.

Respite centres are being set up for vulnerable residents. For more information on respite centres please ring the Council on 01472 313131. 

The time and date of the first forecast high water is from 18:45 on 05 Dec 2013

Update: 1520

At risk of flooding? Use the checklist on the right to help you prepare.

Update: 1430

If residents are concerned and want to buy sandbags, we have a list of local builders’ merchants now available in the area. See the link available on the right. It’s advisable to ring to check availability before you set off.

Update: 1300

Communities along the East Coast of the Humber area are warned to brace themselves ahead of what is likely to be the most serious coastal tidal surge for over 30 years in our region.

This has led to a major incident being declared as emergency services and local authorities across the Humber prepare for an ingression of water during high tide periods later this evening from around 1700hrs onwards.

The Environment Agency and Met Office are warning that gale-force winds, large waves and a tidal surge caused by low pressure will combine with high tides today and throughout Friday and to Saturday morning, bringing a risk of significant coastal flooding.

North East Lincolnshire is most likely to be affected by the high tides leading to possible breaches from Immingham, along the coastline to the Humberston Fitties.

Residents living in the areas of Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes close to the River Humber and coast line are advised to start taking precautions. Emergency services and partners are continuing to monitor the likelihood and will ensure that vulnerable members of the community are prioritized.

For the latest information on the weather log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk, for advice on how to take precautions or where to go in the event of evacuation contact your local council on the following. For latest updates around the region follow us on Twitter #humberflood

For advice in your local area contact the following numbers:

Local Authority Contacts:

• North East Lincolnshire Council – Tel 01472 313131
• North Lincolnshire Council – 01724 297 000
• East Riding Council – 01482 393939
• Hull City Council – 01482 300 300

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