The Flood of 1953

The Flood of 1953

In 1953 a disaster occurred in Zeeland and South-Holland, a tidal wave broke the dikes at several points, flooding the islands. 1835 people died, 500.000 became refugees and 260.000 ha. of fields were ravaged. Its effects could even be felt far inside the Country, so a national disaster. Many cities and villages were heavily damaged during this flood, in my hometown, Dordrecht, the flood also damaged some dikes, streets and buildings and near the city 3 people drowned, but the worst happened in Zeeland.

To prevent another such catastrophe, the Dutch government launched the Delta project, to protect the people of South-West Netherlands (Zeeland and South-Holland) against the North-sea. The realization lasted from 1958 to 1987 and cost billions of guilders. Four main dams, two of which with lock-gates, and several secondary dams located in the rear, close to the estuaries. All of the dams reduced the length of the shore by 70 kilometers, creating soft water reserves, putting an end to the fields saltiness, avoiding the floods, easing the communications and the area's soaring.