There was no flood warning system and the first most people knew about their danger was when water several feet deep crashed into their homes. In a single night in the South and East 24,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Canvey Island on the Thames Estuary was the last to be hit in the early hours of February 1, with 58 people being drowned. In London the water lapped the top of the embankments in Victoria and Chelsea. If the defences had been breached the tube would have been submerged too.

It took nine months to drain all the flood water and make temporary repairs to the sea walls. In typical British fashion a committee was set up to consider flood defences, particularly in London. As a result, 30 years later, the Thames Barrier was built. Already it is realised this will not be enough to keep the sea out in 20 to 30 years. Work is already starting on a project to design a stronger replacement to defend the next generation of Londoners against the
sea.