Flood wardens prepare for Potter Heigham's spring tides

Flood wardens have remained on standby in Potter Heigham since October 12, with surrounding marshes still waterlogged weeks after torrential downpours from storms Babet and Ciarán.

With the village being told to prepare for minor flooding, a saline surge predicted on Friday and spring tides forecast over the weekend and early next week, senior flood warden Paul Rice the unprecedented amount of standing water remains a cause for concern.

Flood warden Paul Rice with sandbags ready to go. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"It's been a lot to tackle on a daily basis," Mr Rice said.

"Especially for businesses and residents. The water is now receding, but not as fast as we would like."

Over the past several weeks, the flood barrier by Herbert Woods has been regularly raised. But it has come at a price, as flood wardens have had to balance the possible damage to Lathams on one side of the barrier and the vehicles belonging to Herbert Woods' customers on the other.

A caravan surrounded by standing water in Potter Heigham. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Herbert Woods' chairman John Butler said the barrier has prevented many customers from hiring day boats.

"The flood barrier is operated by volunteers," said Mr Butler. "Which means they are available on some days but not others.

"There was a point when the barrier had been in for days and customers could not get in or out. It caused a build-up of water and had the barrier been out, the water would have gone straight down the drain."

Herbert Woods chairman John Butler. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The flood barrier inside Herbert Woods' car park is currently down and all pumps are working satisfactorily.

Mr Butler added that he did not expect to see more flooding over the coming weekend.

Water marks indicating the height of flooding in the village over recent weeks. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"The water has dropped significantly in the surrounding fields," he said. "The meadow nearby was under 4ft of water a few days ago, but now the track is visible. 

"We're expecting northerly winds, which should hold the tide in at Great Yarmouth, and then the second surge brings saline."

A flooded meadow in Potter Heigham. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The saline barrier - located by Herbert Woods' boatyard - will be raised from Friday at 10am.

Across the road, Lathams' manager John Goldie said the constant flood alerts have deterred many customers from visiting the shop.

Mr Goldie, whose shop has been protected from surges due to the Herbert Woods barrier, said staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the shop remained open for customers.

Lathams store manager John Goldie. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"It's been very hard, especially during peak Christmas trade," said Mr Goldie.

"Unfortunately, people think we are closed. But we have remained open throughout."

The rear of the store has seen some flooding from an overflowing dyke alongside the A149. Over the past six weeks, several parking spaces, the warehouse and the garden centre had all been submerged at different times.

But while the water has receded, the garden centre remains inaccessible to customers.

Water has overflowed into Lathams' rear car park from a nearby dyke. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"However, Lathams staff will try their hardest to retrieve items for our shoppers if they ask," Mr Goldie said.

The flood warden team will be standing by over the weekend as tides are expected to climb to more than 1.3m along the Broads.

Mr Rice said the "exceptional" amount of rain seen during recent weeks is a sign a new approach needs to be taken.

Senior volunteer flood warden Paul Rice by the barrier in Potter Heigham. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"We have got to get together with businesses and residents to see what we can do," said Mr Rice. 

"We have to work with the problem as it will not stop in the future. New approaches have to be considered to mitigate the effects of events like these."

Mr Rice suggested deeper dykes, more space for standing water to flow to and an emergency service dedicated to technical relief for events such as flooding, similar to the German Technisches Hilfswerk (THW).

Water has receded in the village over the past few days, but not as fast as some would have liked. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)