The 1953 flood is the most recent large coastal flood in Europe. The storm surge hit The Netherlands, the east coast of England, Belgium and Germany. Over 2.100 people died, of which more than 1.800 in The Netherlands.
The 1953 storm surge.
It happened in the night or early morning, February 1st, 1953. A northwestern storm was blowing and it was to be spring tide. At low tide the water level at sea was as high as it is normally when it is high tide. Then the wind pushed the water up to rise even higher and the sea reached a record height of 4,5 meter above mean sea level. In The Netherlands the dikes were breached at many places in the provinces along the southwestern coast. Sea water covered large areas. Near the breaches houses were destroyed by the force of the water rushing in. Many people were caught unawares, there was no warning system and people were sleeping. In the end there were 1.800 victims. About 72.000 people had to be evacuated. Roads were destroyed and telephone lines were down. In large areas relief could only be brought by boat. Many cattle died, crops failed, buildings were ruined.
The east coast of England was also hit by this flood. According to the British Environment Agency 300 people died, about 24.000 houses were destroyed and 40.000 people evacuated.
