Huge Waves In Britain

Wet and wild! Villagers are evacuated and east coast is put on flood alert as huge waves and 60mph winds batter parts of Britain

• More than 30 people from village of Walcott on North Norfolk coast left their properties and headed to a local pub
• Met Office issues severe weather warning along east coast of England, and urges people to avoid coastal paths
• Environment Agency has 18 flood alerts and five flood warnings in place, all in Anglian and North-East regions
• Forecasters warn of 'short, sharp shock' of cold, windy weather, as temperatures fell as low as freezing overnight

By MARK DUELL, NICK MCDERMOTT and LARISA BROWN

It was not a good day to ignore the weather forecast.

Right on cue yesterday, the Indian summer that had blessedly clung on earlier in the week finally gave way to a boisterous autumn.

Any traces of the warm, dry conditions were blown clean away as Britain was battered by rain, gale-force winds and even snow.

Those who left the house without a coat were in for a shock – in some parts of the country temperatures were ten degrees colder than just two days earlier. 

Windswept: Strong winds whip up huge waves battering the coast at Seaburn near Sunderland, as Britain experiences a 'short, sharp shock' of colder temperatures

Alert: More than 30 people from the 400-strong village evacuated to the local pub after the high tide smashed over the sea defences at Walcott on the Norfolk cost

Preparations: A local resident in Walcott on the North Norfolk cost boards up a window to help save his home in case it is hit by the high tide

Getting ready: The last major evacuation in Walcott - which has a population of 400 - was in 2007, when 150 people went to the local pub at 3.30am

Whipped up: Stormy seas could be seen on the coast at Hunstanton, Norfolk, where some people braved the elements to go for a walk

Residents in Hunstanton, Norfolk, struggled along the seafront yesterday as the town was hit by near gale-force winds of up to 50mph.

Waves driven by the strong winds crashed against the promenade, drenching anyone who happened to be walking by the sea.

Michael Hemmings, 53, said: 'The wind nearly blew me over when I got out of my car at the sea front this morning. It's one of the strongest winds I have seen here for nearly 20 years.'

The blustery showers are expected to continue into next week.

Bird's eye view: Seaburn near Sunderland is pictured, two days after some parts of Britain basked in above-average temperatures as high as 22C

Danger: Winds whip up the seas into a frenzy at Tynemouth Pier. The gusts could cause disruption along coastal roads as waves breach sea walls, causing flooding

Whipped up: Forecasters said Britain would feel the contrast in weather after basking in above-average temperatures up to 22C in recent days. Seaburn is pictured

The Environment Agency said: 'Strong winds and large waves could cause minor disruption along the North Sea coast from Yorkshire to Essex.

'The high winds and localised flooding on roads could make driving conditions difficult in coastal areas.'

Meanwhile, a beautiful set of photographs yesterday showed how trees were beginning to take on their autumn colours in a park in Bath, Somerset.

Although later than normal, experts at the Forestry Commission are predicting a spectacular autumn this year due to an ideal mix of sunshine and rain.

This has provided perfect conditions for sugars to build up in leaves, causing them to change colour and develop their vibrant autumn hues.

Making the most of it: A surfer braves the waves as vehicle-carrying vessel the 'City of Rome' edges out to sea behind at the mouth of the River Tyne today

Extreme sportsman: This surfer enjoyed the waves at the mouth of the River Tyne today

Frenzy: Strong winds whip up huge waves battering the coast at Seaburn near Sunderland, as Britain experiences a 'short, sharp shock' of colder temperatures

Rising up: Britain woke up to the news this morning that the Indian summer had come to an abrupt end, as parts of the country braced for flooding. Seaburn is pictured

Spooky: Strong winds whip up huge waves battering the coast at Seaburn near Sunderland. The Environment Agency had 18 flood alerts in place this morning

Impressive: A person watches the waves crashing over the seafront promenade at Seaburn in Sunderland. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings

Crash, bang, wallop: Northerly gales create huge waves striking the sea wall at Tynemouth Pier in the North East at the mouth of the Tyne

Crash: Forecasters predicting severe weather were not disappointed as the morning high tide and strong winds whipped up the seas into a frenzy at Tynemouth Pier

Eerie: Strong waves at Tynemouth Pier this morning. The Met Office has urged people to avoid coastal paths in the affected areas of its weather warnings

Little chance of keeping dry: A member of the public walks along as waves crashing over the seafront promenade at Seaburn, near Sunderland

Spray: Northerly gales create huge waves crashing against the sea wall at Tynemouth Pier at the mouth of the Tyne. Temperatures will be chilly in the North

Caught on camera: A member of the public takes a photograph of the waves crashing over the seafront promenade at Seaburn, near Sunderland

Taking a snap: Temperatures will be chilly in the North and West, with a frost risk in western parts of Scotland. Strong waves at Seaburn are pictured

Looking over: A man watches at the waves crashing over the seafront promenade in Seaburn, near Sunderland. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings

Breaking through: Strong winds whip up huge waves battering the coast at Seaburn. It will be blustery today, with winds reaching 60mph on the east coast

Watching on: The coast at Seaburn near Sunderland is pictured, as Britain braces for showers that may be heavy with the risk of thunder

Watch out: Heavy seas and waves crash over Roker Pier at Sunderland. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for low lying roads and coastal land