Today we were blessed with the opportunity to sleep in, one that I took advantage of. After waking up, having breakfast, we left for the flood museum. This museum primarily focused on the 1953 flood of the Netherlands which killed nearly 2,000 people. I learned that flooding has been occurring a TON over the Netherland’s history, which is understandable considering its elevation below sea level (six meters). I learned more about historical floods, but the most about the 50’s one.

I learned that when the dam in the 50’s broke, people struggled to find dry spots, and as relief arrived, radio was primarily used to distribute information, which I never considered, but of course makes more sense now. I also learned that ginormous sixty-meter stone blocks were sailed over from England to place in the spot of the broken dam. The blocks were quickly arranged and then filled with water to make them sink to block the water from continuing flooding Holland. The engineering crew then dumped rocks at the base of the blocks to further support the blocks, especially from tipping over.

I learned that Holland’s storm surge efforts have greatly increased and is one of the country’s main focuses in terms of innovation and engineering. I have learned that Holland has dropped massive amounts of dirt and sand and rock and gravel to create barriers, instead of concrete walls like one would think, or the surge barriers I am used to in the United States. For example, when you go to the beach, there are rock or concrete walls, but here, they construct whole man-made hills to slow and hopefully reverse the effects of storm water. From what I heard, it is also a general consensus that Holland will eventually be flooded, washing away its rich history. Knowing this, I am glad I’m visiting now when I can, because the way climate change is accelerating, we don’t know how much longer the opportunity will be available.