It was one of the worst peacetime disasters in flood-prone East Anglia.

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.

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.

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

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