Most of the island was flooded in 1953 , as a result of exceptional weather conditions which affected much of the Netherlands and the east coast of England . High water at Southend was expected to be above mean sea level at 1:30 am on Sunday 1 February . The actual tide rose to above mean sea level , which was above the danger level for this part of the Essex coast . This level in itself was not a danger to the island , as the sea walls had been raised and strengthened between 1951 and 1952 by the War Office , and were above mean sea level . However , the high water was accompanied by strong winds , creating large waves , which broke over the top of the defences , washing away the earth banks on the inland side of the walls . Two sections of the wall breached , from Rugwood Head to Asplin 's Head on the eastern side of the island , and for about to the west of Foulness Point on the northern side of the island . By 6:00 am , most of it was under water , and gas , electricity and telephone links had been severed . Rescue attempts on the Sunday failed to reach Foulness
flooded in 1953
North Sea flood of 1953
Foulness Island