‘The people who own the beach should have done something to protect it earlier’, he said.

The beach-side houses were swept away following the storm along with a lifeboat hut, also in Hemsby, and a beachside cafe at Caister-on-Sea.

Local authorities in Norfolk said there was a risk of further flooding, especially in the Hunstanton area where some of the shingle bank has been swept away.

Speaking from Caister High School rest centre David Ashworth, area manager for Norfolk Fire and Rescue, said: ‘Things seems to have calmed down along the coast although there has been some damage to properties, such as the old lifeboat shed and homes in Hemsby.

‘We haven’t had any reports of injuries, but obviously more info will come to light through the morning. The next high tide due in Yarmouth at 10.45am.

‘There will be a strategic coordinating group which will be sitting down at 7am. They’ll be given a briefing from EA and that will inform the local technical coordinator about what we do next.’

An aerial view of Hemsby, Norfolk, before the beach-side homes were destroyed in the storm

Steve Connelly looks at the remains of his home after it fell into the sea during a storm surge in Hemsby

Devastated residents watched their cliff-top homes disappear into the sea as last night’s tidal surge hit the east coast of Britain

Residents of Hemsby, Norfolk, tried their best to create their own sea defence out of cages and rocks to protect their homes from flooding before the storm hit

At least 20 schools were closed today in north Norfolk and the Yarmouth area while four were shut in Lowestoft, Suffolk, as local rail services were also devastated.

Police meanwhile have warned the public of the danger of flood ‘sightseeing’ after people were seen running into the tide and watching the drama with children on their shoulders.

Forces issued the warning after reports of crowds gathering to watch last night’s tidal surge which hit communities along the east of Britain.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police said sightseers placed themselves at ‘significant risk’ in Great Yarmouth.

 

He said: ‘In the Gorleston area, from Riverside Road to the Ocean Rooms, and on to the beach and amusements, large crowds – including people with small children on their shoulders – are gathering very close to the seafront.

‘There are serious concerns for their safety and police officers will be visiting this area to urge these groups away from danger.’

Police officers secure the beach where houses have fallen into the sea due to the cliff collapsing

Police have cordoned off one of the bungalows which has fallen into the sea after cliffs at Hemsby collapsed

A building has almost completely disappeared after it was swept into the sea during the storm surge

Chief Inspector Kate Thacker said: ‘Some of these people have no concept of the danger they are putting themselves in and we are urging pedestrians to keep away from the flood water and sea front and for traffic to avoid the town centre.’

Concerns were raised following reports of people at Cleethorpes running into the tide and standing near the sea to see what was happening.

Humberside Police said: ‘The consequences of this are severe and the force of the tide and the wind could take those people away, with nothing anyone can do to stop it.’

Essex Police also urged the public to stay away from affected areas.

‘Police are receiving information that people are going to the area to watch the flooding,’ a spokeswoman said.

Former warehouse man Steven Connolly and his wife Jackie managed to rescue their three-month-old kittens Tom and Jerry before their home of seven years was destroyed

A total of seven bungalows, a lifeboat hut and a cafe fell into the sea in Norfolk during the tidal surge which hit Britain’s east coast

‘The high seas and rising water is unpredictable and the emergency services do not want to have to rescue people who have put themselves in potentially dangerous situations.’

The Fire Brigades Union said the chaos caused by the winds and floods showed there should be an immediate end to cuts in the fire and rescue service.

General secretary Matt Wrack said: ‘Firefighters have done a magnificent job over past 24 hours as they responded to flood and storm incidents across many parts of the country, rescuing and evacuating large numbers of people, saving lives and preventing further risk.

‘In many cases they travelled long distances across the country to provide support where it was most needed. This is not just a local response but the Government has so far ignored our call for proper national planning for such risks.

Owners of the homes are now unsure where they will live long term after their properties were badly damaged by the storms

Mr Connelly said he had read the insurance policy for the house and they were not covered for coastal erosion

‘It is a travesty that many of the crews, fire stations and special appliances involved in last night’s rescues are under threat from Government expenditure cuts.

‘Last night demonstrated the need to maintain and improve our ability to make sure the public is as safe as we can make them in the event of emergencies. Cuts in the fire and rescue service amount to national vandalism, not financial prudence.

‘It is almost incredible that many of the appliances and crews which responded yesterday are themselves being considered for the axe. We have already seen the loss of 3,600 firefighter jobs since the 2010 general election. If the planned cuts continue the firefighters will be less and less able to safely and professionally respond to challenges like the storms and floods.’

Agencies are continuing to assess the impact the flood waters have had on homes, businesses and flood defences as they prepare for the risk of further flooding today. Pictured is The Quay car park, at Morston, on the north Norfolk coast

Workers assess the damage caused by the sea to Scarborough Foreshore, at North Bay, in Scarborugh

Cromer Pier, in Norfolk, has been closed to the public because of storm damage after the worst tidal surge for more than 60 years hit coastal towns along the east coast of Britain