On 31 January 1953 , the low-lying areas of Thurrock were inundated by the North Sea flood of 1953 . The Van den Berghs and Jurgens margarine factory , which manufactured Stork margarine , was forced to stop production for many months . Since the output of this factory constituted one third of the country 's ration allocation , this led to a severe strain on the supply of margarine in the UK . Most schools in Thurrock were closed , either as a direct result of the flooding or in order to use them to help the relief effort . More than 1300 people in Tilbury and other low-lying areas were evacuated to schools on the higher ground . Chadwell St Mary Primary school was used as the main welfare centre for the homeless . By 15 February , most schools had returned to normal . The last to resume were the Landsdowne school in Tilbury and the newly opened Woodside Primary School - then called Tyrell Heath School . On Friday 13 February , the flooded areas were visited by the young Queen Elizabeth II Despite severe loss of life in nearby Canvey Island , only one person in Thurrock died as a result of the floods
North Sea flood of 1953
North Sea flood of 1953
Thurrock