Clean-up after the storm

A week after the highest tidal surge in sixty years struck our region, the Environment Agency says it's still counting the cost of the damage to our coast line.

Thousands of homes were evacuated in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex ahead of the storm, but most were protected from the worst of the flooding, by the region's sea defences.

Adrian Gosling from The Environment Agency says the cost of repairing them will run into millions of pounds, but work has begun:

"Where we've seen obvious breaches and obvious works, we're working hard to plug those.

"That maybe getting shingle and other material to repair breaches on shingle banks, it maybe getting clay and materials like that to repair breaches in earth banks.

"Where harder defences have been damaged, we're looking at more technical solutions there."

Read more: Flooding hits the East of England

The Cromer Pier will reopen this afternoon after it was seriously damaged in the tidal surge.

There were fears for the town's Christmas show but thanks to emergency repairs over the weekend the show will go on.

A temporary box office has been built in the bar.

An emergency recovery fund is being set up in Great Yarmouth, to help those most affected by last week's tidal surge.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council said it will use some of its reserves, to help people who have lost their homes.

A leaflet explaining how people can apply for help is being delivered to residents. They are also applying to the Environment Agency for a grant to help with clear-up costs.

Thieves have stolen belongings salvaged from a home which fell into the sea after a tidal surge hit the east coast.

Three homes were destroyed and four others "seriously undermined" as waves ravaged the village of Hemsby in Norfolk on Thursday night.

But while residents formed human chains and battled to save whatever possessions they could as the homes slipped over the cliff edge, suspects made off with valuables which had been rescued.

Norfolk Police said the offenders struck at some point between 10pm on Thursday and 11.30am on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: "They entered the shed on The Marrams and removed a carrier bag of items that had been saved from a bungalow falling into the sea.

"Items taken include a gold necklace, three watches, a digital camera and a camcorder.

"There were many members of the public in the area offering assistance over the course of the weekend and officers would like to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around the bungalow or adjacent sheds at the time of the incident."

In parts of the region, last night's high tide reached record levels.

In fact, in King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth, water levels were higher than those seen in the Great Flood of 1953.

In Essex and Suffolk the highest point was just below those recorded 60 years ago.

Hundreds of people in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk were evacuated from their homes to escape the predicted flood damage.

Here is a look back at a dramatic 24 hours.

Click below to watch a report from ITV News Anglia's Malcolm Roberston

Read more: Flooding hits the East of England

It's bound to be a busy time for the insurance companies as the damage caused by the storm surge is assessed.

Malcolm Tarling from the Association of British Insurers says that those wishing to claim should get in contact with their insurance company as soon as possible:

"The first thing you should do is contact your insurance company"

"Your policy document will give details of who to contact and most companies now have an emergency helpline numbers."

"A lot of companies will be being proactive. They'll be identifying their customers in those postcodes worst affected in the region, and will actually be contacting their customers directly instead of waiting for their customers to contact them."

"The priority for any insurance today, and in the coming days, is to get claims dealt with as quickly as possible, and for badly damaged properties, they'll be arranging alternative accommodation."

Read more: Flooding hits the East of England

Cromer in North Norfolk took a severe battering last night.

The grade two listed pier is closed after the sea tore up wooden decking and ripped holes in the floor of the pavilion theatre.

The funfair on the prom has gone, beach huts have been swept into the sea and great chunks of the huge, concrete sea wall are missing.

Click below to watch a report from ITV News Anglia's Natalie Gray

Read more: Dramatic images of waves battering Cromer this morning

Witnesses have today been expressing their sadness after last night's tidal surge ripped through the Norfolk village of Hemsby.

Several homes were destroyed by the large waves.

Robin Adams lost his holiday home in the surge. He says that he has never seen a storm like yesterday's in his life:

"I've seen storms before, but this was relentless."

"The sand and the dunes were just being eaten up."

"It was a dramatic event, but obviously I've lost my holiday home and those memories are gone now. It's very sad."

Read more: Homes destroyed in Hemsby

Thousands of people across Norfolk have been advised that it is now safe to return to their homes.

Around 10,000 properties were visited yesterday, with many residents encouraged to evacuate.

However, following consultation with the Environment Agency, all partner agencies have now agreed that a phased return can begin.

Read more: Flooding hits the East of England