On 9 November 2007, the east of the UK was at risk from a serious storm surge.
A deep area of low pressure was travelling across the North Sea, bringing with it severe gales and pushing water southwards before it.
Worst case predictions were that this flood would be equal to the devastating coastal storm surge of 1953, when over 300 people lost their lives.
It was feared that sea defences would be breached. This would affect thousands of people along the east coast of England including the tidal estuary of London, with thousands of properties potentially damaged and serious threat to human life.
In the wake of the recent summer floods, the country was ready to act. The organisations involved reacted quickly and coherently to the threat.
The Environment Agency issued eight severe flood warnings, 12 flood warnings and 24 flood watches. In London, the Thames Barrier and Dartford Creek were closed. The entire east coast from Humberside to Kent was put on alert, with flood defence agencies and emergency services prepared to evacuate people from their homes. People in low lying regions were advised to leave their homes, while others were told to fasten doors and stay upstairs, taking food, blankets and water with them.
The surge hit East Anglia between 5am and 9am. Thankfully, although the surge was high, it was not as severe as had been feared. The largest swells were in Felixstowe, Suffolk, where sea levels rose to 2.84m (9.3ft) above average, and Greta Yarmouth, in Norfolk, at 2.8m (9.2ft).
The Environment Agency said that coastal communities came "within a whisker" of devastation after the highest tides for more than half a century.
Although disaster was avoided, the reaction of the organisations involved showed how quickly and effectively flood precaution measures can be put into effect.