Severe flood warnings were issued late yesterday evening and hundreds of residents were forced to flee their properties as a huge tidal surge topped flood defences.
Gusts of up to 90mph whipped up the North Sea, causing what experts described as a "near perfect storm".
Areas hit hard in Hull by the rising water levels included Victoria Dock. Flood waters reached as far as Ferensway and Anlaby Road.
Hessle Foreshore, Bridlington, Paull and Kilnsea in the East Riding were also badly affected.
Motorists were urged only to travel if absolutely necessary as the A63 and Ferensway – among other routes – were swamped.
There were fears fresh high tides could bring further flooding this morning.
Residents in Victoria Dock were evacuated as the River Humber water level rose.
Chris Boyes, 61, was among those watching and hoping their home would escape unscathed.
He knows all too well the devastation of being flooded out – having suffered in 2007 with his Anlaby Common home.
"We had to move out of the home for nine months," said Mr Boyes. "I feel for anyone whose home has been flooded. It is a nightmare not being able to do anything to protect your home but watch the water and hope."
In Paull, sandbags were handed out and residents desperately checked on their neighbours to make sure everyone was safe.
Stephen Dunham said: "I was at work when I got the call. In 2007, I was about an inch off being flooded out. My next-door neighbour got hit. The river is a different thing and it is a concern. All we can do is watch."
Earlier in the day, tragedy was only narrowly avoided when strong winds caused a building in west Hull to collapse on two cars.
Schools were forced to close and 4,000 homes lost power.
Dozens of trees fell onto roads and the Humber Bridge was closed to all traffic – only the third time it has had to do so in its 32-year history.
The Environment Agency began lowering Hull's tidal barrier at 4pm and the operation was completed by 4.30pm.
The Hull tidal barrier was thought to be holding back a surge of 2m of tidal water, which could have affected thousands of homes in Hull. The water was only a few feet from breaching the barrier by 8pm.
