The Thames Barrier has been closed to protect London from floods as forecasters have warned that gale force winds, large waves and high tides could cause chaos across the east of the UK.
UK's environmental agency has issued 28 severe flood warnings - its highest category - ahead of the most serious coastal tidal surge.
They said sea levels could reach the heights seen during the devastating floods of 1953 that left 307 people dead and 40,000 homeless.
The Agency said "In some areas, sea levels could be higher than those during the devastating floods of 1953. However, flood defenses built since then - including the Thames and Hull Barriers - mean that many parts of the country are much better protected than in 1953. The Environment Agency will be closing its Thames Barrier on Thursday to defend London, in addition to operating numerous other defenses such as those at Colne in Essex and Kings Lynn in Norfolk. Farmers are being urged to protect their livestock and consider moving them out of affected areas."
Communities along the North Sea coast from Northumberland down to the Thames Estuary and Kent, in addition to those on the Irish Sea coast from Cumbria down to Cheshire, could see significant coastal flooding later today and into Friday.
The coastline from Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk to Clacton, Essex, is particularly at risk, including Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
Severe flood warnings are currently in place across Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk.
At present there are an additional 137 flood warnings and 61 flood alerts in place across England.
The Environment Agency expects 3,000 properties to be flooded within the next 24 hours.
British prime minister David Cameron said the Environment Secretary is chairing a meeting of the Government's Emergency Cobra Committee to discuss the response to the storm.
In a message on Twitter Cameron said: "I have asked Environment Secretary Owen Paterson to chair a Cobra this morning on the storm disruption - ensuring everything is being done."
Gale force winds are already battering much of northern England and Scotland, with gusts of up to 142mph recorded in some areas.
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