When we add rising sea levels, then the risk to our communities from serious flooding and coastal inundation are increasing with climate change.

Had it not been in operation, communities along the river would have experienced more serious flooding.

It goes on to say that 4.5m homes overheat, even in cool summers, while 1.8m people are at risk of serious flooding.

Fortunately, the high tides passed without serious flooding, but the threat of further storm surges could return as more storms batter the country this week.

Government plans to build half a million new homes on former industrial land pose serious flooding and contamination risks for homeowners, a leading insurer says.