Holiday home and beach hut owners are being warned that their properties may be at risk after police issued 48 hour flood warnings around the Norfolk coast.

Residents in coastal areas are being visited within the next few hours to be given information on evacuation plans.

The high tide warning is a 36-48 hour evacuation plan which covers three anticipated high tides that are likely to start in King’s Lynn at around 7pm tonight (Thursday 5 December) before affecting the rest of Norfolk.

People are being warned to stay away until the high tides are over and where possible, people living in the affected areas are being urged to make arrangements to stay with friends or relatives.

The South Quay car park in King’s Lynn along the quayside will be closed from 3pm today. Anyone parking their car is asked to remove it before this time.

Evacuation notices have been given to people in the Shepherd’s Port area of Snettisham, coastal areas of Heacham and South Hunstanton.

Around 500 properties in that area are affected and residents are being asked to leave for their own safety.

A rest centre has been set up at Hunstanton Community Centre in Avenue Road for those affected.

In Blakeney 30 properties are being evacuated and The Blakeney Hotel has 66 people staying. They will be closing the flood door.

In Salthouse some 23 properties will be evacuated and at 5pm a road closure will be put in place on the A149 coast road.

At Walcott 52 properties will be evacuated and the coast road will be closed.

In Wells Pinewood Caravan Park has evacuated 22 touring vans at the decision of the site manager.

Some 61 properties will be evacuated in the East Quay, The Quay and Freeman Street areas.

The flood barrier at Wells will be closed at 5pm alongside Polka Road, Stanley Road and Freeman Street.

A rest centre will be set up at Alderman Peel High School in Market Lane in Wells.

In Great Yarmouth the north and south areas of the town are expected to be affected as well as Caister, Southtown and Cobholm.

Rest centres in Great Yarmouth will open from 2pm and include Flegg High, Martham Primary, Caister High, Cliff Park High, Ormiston Venture Academy and Lynn Grove High.

Sandbag locations include Beach Coach Station, Pasteur Road car park (opposite Topps Tiles), Southgates Road, Quay Road, Gorleston by the toilets and the Runham Road junction.

An additional site will open from approximately 1pm at the bottom of Beaconsfield Road (Northgate end). Sand and bags are available, people need to bring their own shovels

Police are advising people to take any medication and valuables they may need with them when they leave and members of the public are asked never to wade through any flood water, even if it is still.

Drain covers can shift during flooding and pose a danger to anyone wading through the area.

Members of the public are asked to stay away from flooding areas, particularly riversides and seaside areas.

Road closures will be in place for public safety and pedestrians are also strongly advised to avoid these areas.

Norfolk’s Deputy Chief Constable Charlie Hall, who is leading the multi-agency response, said: “Anyone living in a high risk area as identified by the Environment Agency will be asked to evacuate.

“This is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and for the evacuation to be conducted in a planned and organised manner.

“We would like to reassure residents that Norfolk has tried and tested flood response plans which are being put in place, in line with Environment Agency advice.”

People in affected locations should call the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for further information.

For further information tune in or log on to local media outlets or follow @norfolkpolice #floodaware #norfolk on Twitter or visit the Environment Agency website.