The Floods of 1953 in Norfolk: Remembering the heroes who helped

On January 31, 1953 a freak combination of North Sea high tides, atmospheric pressure and ferocious winds created the perfect storm for the worst floods in modern times. In Norfolk alone 100 people drowned that devastating night.

But today we are sharing images from the EDP archive of the heroic deeds and community spirit that arose from the tragedy of the 1953 Floods.

Sandbags were being placed under the railway bridge at Cobholm, Great Yarmouth. Dated 1953 Photograph C5495 Les Gould (Image: Archant Library)

Floods of 1953: The wife of Brigadier. General J.D. Stevenson, C.O. of the 49th Air Division U.S.A.F. and members of the Women's Volunteer Service ( W.V.S. ) cut sandwiches for rescue workers. Dated 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Food rations were handed out during the 1953 Floods. Dated February 8, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared that 'all the resources of the state' would be made available to cope with the aftermath of the disaster – and this was enthusiastically echoed at a local level.

From near and far people came together to arrange temporary shelter, fill sandbags, rebuild flood defences and provide hot food and drink for the army of volunteers that helped.

Young and old alike queue for a drink as supplies of fresh water are brought to King's Lynn in the aftermath of the devastating floods. An army of volunteers joined the emergency services to help out. Dated February 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Men storing blankets after the 1953 Floods at Great Yarmouth. Dated February 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Generous donations of furniture, fuel, clothes, money and offers of accommodation helped those in plight.

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Building sandbag banks at Wells after the 1953 Floods. (Image: Archant Library)

Floods1953: Breydon Water Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) returning after a hard days work filling in the breaches at Breydon Water, Great Yarmouth, during the floods of 1953. Dated February 14, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Residents of Cobholm, Great Yarmouth outside F.W. Hayhow Stores during the 1953 floods. Dated February 1953 Photograph C5496 (Image: Archant Library)

Fifty firemen from Lancashire with nine pumps arrived at Morley College near Wymondham to help in any flood damage. A crew can be seen given directions to their billet. Dated 12th February 1953 Photograph C5521 (Image: Archant Library)

Electricians working in the Blackfriars Road area went from house to house in an effort to restore power after the 1953 Floods. They had mobile stores with them. Dated 8th February 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Floods 1953: Men building sandbag banks at Burnham Overy Staithe. Dated 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Repairing the banks on the River Bure, near Great Yarmouth after the damage caused by the 1953 Floods. Dated 10 June 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Relief efforts at Sea Palling, one of the hardest hit communities during the Floods of 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Army of relief workers and volunteers toil away after the Floods of 1953 at Sea Palling. (Image: Archant Library)

Sheringham repair work had begun on the promenade and sea wall after the 1953 Floods. Dated February 9, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Filling sandbags off the Coast Road between Cley and Salthouse after the 1953 Floods. Date: 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

A coffee break for English and US servicemen at Salthouse as they helped with recovery after the 1953 Floods. (Image: Archant Library)

Lorries and boats sped up rescue work in the Cobholm area evacuation at Great Yarmouth. Dated February 2, 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Filling one of the gaps at Sea Palling after the 1953 Floods. (Image: Archant Library)

Three days after the 1953 Floods, forces work to fill the gap created by the tidal surge at Sea Palling. (Image: Archant Library)

Men, women and children sought relief and information in south King's Lynn after the 1953 Floods. Dated February 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

Volunteers helped from a row boat after the 1953 Floods at Hunstanton. Dated February 1953. (Image: Archant Library)

High Street at Cley during the 1953 Floods. (Image: Archant Library)

Donations held at a clothing store in Salthouse after the Floods of 1953. (Image: Archant Library)