Brown in flood crisis meeting; WEATHER DRAMA: Warning of danger to life and property.

Byline: By Gary Marks

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown chaired a second meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee in less than 12 hours today as the east of England braced itself for devastating flooding.

The Environment Agency said water levels were not initially as high as originally feared after hundreds of people in the highest risk areas were evacuated from their homes.

The agency has warned of "extreme danger to life and property" in coastal areas of Norfolk and Suffolk and parts of Kent and Essex, because of a surge - a combination of gale force winds and a high tide.

As the water rose a team of West Midlands firefighters were drafted in to Norfolk.

Crews from Sheldon and Perry Barr stations were sent up to East Anglia at around 5am today amid fears of serious floods.

Around 15 fire-fighters made the trip and were waiting in a "holding area" in case extra support was needed.

Watch commander Jason Dean, of Sheldon fire station, said: "Our high volume platform was sent to Norfolk this morning with six fire service personnel in case of any floods.

"A water rescue unit from the West Midlands has also been sent."

Perry Barr sent a fire engine and seven firefighters.

Water was due to peak before 8am but by 7.20am there had been no breaches of flood defences as emergency barriers were set up around a key electricity sub-station at Great Yarmouth.

An update from the EA said that in the Anglian area, surge levels were expected to be nearly 8ins lower than originally feared.

"There are no reports of any breaches," the organisation said.

"The public has reported some minor roads flooded and some areas around Oulton Broad. This is thought to be related to the fact that there was effectively no low tide."

Great Yarmouth was closed off to traffic as the town braced itself. Witnesses said the River Yare was almost touching the top of road bridges in the town and was as high as anyone could remember.

Police said roads in the town were closed and bus services had been cancelled.

Four emergency shelters at schools in the area were almost full with evacuated residents.

Downing Street confirmed that Mr Brown had chaired a Cobra meeting at the Cabinet Office at 6am - the second such meeting attended by ministers in 12 hours.

Clusters of onlookers gathered on the seafront at Lowestoft.

At the Bascule Bridge, in the centre of of the town, residents said the sea was at least 5ft higher than its usual level by 7.20am.

Melanie Willett, 35, of Lowestoft, said: "I've lived here all my life and I've never seen the sea this high before. It's unbelievable."

At Ness Point, Britain's most easterly extremity, waves were reaching heights of at least 20ft as they crashed against sea defences.

CAPTION(S):

TIDAL SURGE... a giant wave batters the coastline at Walcott, near Great Yarmouth.; RISING WATER... a brave man wades through a flooded Great Yarmouth and (below) residents stock up on sandbags in preparation for the worst.