UK Police defend choice to warn thousands to evacuate as storm falters

East coast residents have derided the severe storm warnings as 'a load of rubbish'

Police and Environment Agency officials today defended their decision to warn tens of thousands of people living near the east coast of England to leave their homes because they were at risk of flooding.

Thousands were evacuated on Friday after the Environment Agency issued 17 severe weather warnings - which warn of danger to life - with people living in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex told they were most at risk.