In pictures: The storm surge of 1953

British frigate HMS Berkeley Castle lies on her side in Sheerness naval dockyard after she had capsized by the floods Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The Environment Agency has predicted that water levels along some coasts of the UK could rise above those seen during the storm surge of 1953.

In that year, hundreds of people living on the east coast of the UK died in some of the worst storms ever recorded. More than 100 people died on Canvey Island in the Thames Estuary.

Improved flood defences mean that the impact is likely to be much smaller today, but people living in coastal areas are advised to monitor the Environment Agency website.

Read: How to prepare for a flood

Read: Thames Barrier to be closed 'to protect London'

Wrapped in blankets, children and adults are ferried by boat through the flood waters at Jaywick, near Clacton, Essex Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
US servicemen from nearby Langham Camp help with salvage work at Salthouse, Norfolk Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
A policeman checking people's ration cards and other documents at the entrance to Canvey Island Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Servicemen and civilian workers repair sea defences at Canvey Island, Essex Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
The flooded main street of flooded Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
A partly-submerged house on Canvey Island, Essex Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Inhabitants of flood-stricken Canvey Island are evacuated Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
A plane bearing Royal Air Force markings surrounded by the flood waters in the Thames Estuary Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
The wreckage of the Beach Hotel, Sutton-on-Sea, two miles south of Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
A Royal Artillery sergeant carries a small evacuee Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images