East Anglia breathed a sigh of relief after escaping severe flooding from the biggest tidal surge in over 50 years – allowing its more enterprising residents to get out and catch a wave or two.

Up to 7,500 people were evacuated from their homes along the east coast of England after the Environment Agency gave warning of “extreme danger to life and property” in coastal areas of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Around 500 spent the night at Caister High School, north of Great Yarmouth, including Jane Crowe, 38, and her children Luke, 5, and Jake, 3, who live near the town's pleasure beach. "It's been a nightmare," she told The Times. They've not slept, they've hardly eaten. I think next time I would rather drown."

Waters peaked at between 7am and 8am. But although, at 2.75 metres, the tidal surge was the greatest since one in 1953 that caused devastating floods in which 300 people died, it was still about 30cm lower than had been predicted yesterday.

Officials said that there had been no reports of flood defences being breached although there had been some flooding of coastal roads because of the huge waves.

"The worst is over, but vigilance is still the keyword because even though the tides are going out the Norfolk Broads are a network of rivers and streams that are tidal-fed and there's always a delay before the river starts draining," said Adrian Westwood, an Environment Agency spokesman.

"We've had no reports of injuries or loss of life or flooded properties or businesses."

The risk of flooding saw dozens of schools closed for the day and roads and rail links shut. Temporary flood barriers were fitted during the night around an electricity substation in Great Yarmouth to protect power supplies.

But Norfolk Police advised evacuees this morning that they could head back home. “The peak has passed without major incident although there was localised flooding,” a spokeswoman for the force said.

The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers were closed last night to defend against the surge, although they are expected to be opened this afternoon and officials said there was no danger of flooding in London.

While thousands took shelter, a group of about six surfers took advantage of the high tide and North Sea surge to go wave-riding at Gorleston beach near Great Yarmouth.

John Mclellan, 19, a stock controller at a local hardware store, said: “The tide is very high so the conditions are pretty good – although the waves aren’t the biggest I’ve ever seen here. Hopefully we will be here most of the day.”

After chairing a meeting of Cobra, the Government's emergency planning committee, Gordon Brown said this morning that the Government was standing ready to help any local communities affected by the tidal surge along the east coast.

“Our first priority is to ensure people are safe, and that’s why over the course of yesterday and throughout the night we have been bringing in the helicopters, the sandbags, the preparations that are absolutely necessary so that people are safe,” he said.

“National government stands ready to help local communities with any difficulties that arise.”

Mr Brown thanked people for their co-operation in evacuating homes and businesses in the at-risk areas. “It’s too early to assess the damage that has been done,” he said. “I think it very important we make preparations when given warnings by the Environment Agency and Met Office."

The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers were closed last night to defend against the surge, the EA, although they are expected to be opened this afternoon.

Police officers and council representatives knocked on doors in high risk areas of Norfolk through the night, warning people to leave. By 2.30am they had visited around half the 7,500 properties at risk, including all those in the highest risk zone.

Among those who spent the night at Caister High School were Olesja Antale, 28, who was evacuated with her husband, Khawar Khan, 32 and their nine-week old baby Daanyal.

"We came here last night at about ten o'clock. Police officers came round and said we've got to get you out because of the baby. We live on the top floor in between the seafront and the river and they were worried about the chil," she said.

"We just brought everything for an emergency, baby clothes, baby food and drink. It's not been easy. I've had to change him on this table in the canteen."

George Denby, head teacher at the school, was told last night that he would have to accommodate 300 people. By the early hours of this morning he had taken 500. "It's a few too many but we've squashed them in," he said. "The people have been absolutely fantastic."

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• How I lost the gift of joy for a while
• Why Ann Widdecombe has got it wrong
• Alas, it’s the end of the road for petrolheads