THE full extent of the damage to Immingham Docks has been revealed.
And Associated British Port's deputy port manager, Simon Brett, revealed that a decision by the dock master to lower the water level at Grimsby Docks by opening the lock gates prevented the surge spreading in towards the town centre.
Gale force winds, a tidal surge and high tide all combined to bring huge waves to the East Coast on Thursday evening.
Immingham Docks remained closed and at a standstill yesterday after water left businesses without electricity and phones.
Bosses at ABP held a crisis meeting yesterday and confirmed work to bring services back to normal were ongoing.
Debris from the sea was strewn around the port while huge pools of water also remained.
Many staff were left to work from home or from neighbouring offices after the port closure.
Mr Brett, speaking from the Immingham Docks, said: "In Grimsby the impact of the tidal surge was extremely localised and the actions of the dock master and staff to lower the water level in the dock prevented that town suffering a more significant flooding episode."
He continued: "Immingham Docks has suffered substantial flooding around the dock entrance and a number of sheds and buildings have been affected," said Mr Brett.
"The port has lost most of its electricity supply and works are underway to restore that over the next 48 hours.
It was hoped that shipping services would restart by 6pm last night and cargo terminal services reinstated on a case by case basis as power was restored.
It is hoped that a normal service, if somewhat limited, would be available from Monday.
Around Immingham Docks, work is underway to assess the damage to the port infrastructure and equipment, as well as cargoes being stored. Grimsby Docks was open as normal yesterday, with little other than debris remaining.
