February flood of 1825
Encyclopedia
The February flood of 1825, also known in Germany as the Great Hallig Flood (Große Halligflut), was a flood disaster that occurred from 3 to 5 February 1825 on the North Sea
coast, in which about 800 people were drowned.
Particularly affected was the German North Sea coast, with its islets, known as Halligen, where many dykes
had already been damaged in November of the year before by a severe storm surge
. The village of Pellworm
was completely flooded.
In East Frisia
, the town of Emden
was particularly hard hit. But because the levees in the East Frisian area had been raised significantly in many places in the preceding years, the number of casualties, about 200, was less than it might have been.
In the Netherlands, the February flood was the worst natural disaster of the 19th century. Most of the dead and the worst damage was in Groningen
, Friesland
and Overijssel
. The reaction at national level was quite similar to that during the flood of 1953; yet the event was surprisingly quickly forgotten once the damage had been repaired and had no political or engineering consequences. It needed the disaster of 1953 in order for a delta law to be passed and to improve coastal protection significantly.
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
coast, in which about 800 people were drowned.
Particularly affected was the German North Sea coast, with its islets, known as Halligen, where many dykes
Levee
A levee, levée, dike , embankment, floodbank or stopbank is an elongated naturally occurring ridge or artificially constructed fill or wall, which regulates water levels...
had already been damaged in November of the year before by a severe storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
. The village of Pellworm
Pellworm
Pellworm is one of the North Frisian Islands on the North Sea coast of Germany. It is part of the Nordfriesland district in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein. Its area is 37 km², and its population is roughly 1,200....
was completely flooded.
In East Frisia
East Frisia
East Frisia or Eastern Friesland is a coastal region in the northwest of the German federal state of Lower Saxony....
, the town of Emden
Emden
Emden is a city and seaport in the northwest of Germany, on the river Ems. It is the main city of the region of East Frisia; in 2006, the city had a total population of 51,692.-History:...
was particularly hard hit. But because the levees in the East Frisian area had been raised significantly in many places in the preceding years, the number of casualties, about 200, was less than it might have been.
In the Netherlands, the February flood was the worst natural disaster of the 19th century. Most of the dead and the worst damage was in Groningen
Groningen (province)
Groningen [] is the northeasternmost province of the Netherlands. In the east it borders the German state of Niedersachsen , in the south Drenthe, in the west Friesland and in the north the Wadden Sea...
, Friesland
Friesland
Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...
and Overijssel
Overijssel
Overijssel is a province of the Netherlands in the central eastern part of the country. The region has a NUTS classification of NL21. The province's name means "Lands across river IJssel". The capital city of Overijssel is Zwolle and the largest city is Enschede...
. The reaction at national level was quite similar to that during the flood of 1953; yet the event was surprisingly quickly forgotten once the damage had been repaired and had no political or engineering consequences. It needed the disaster of 1953 in order for a delta law to be passed and to improve coastal protection significantly.
External links
- H.-J. Rüger, Auswirkungen der Sturmflut von 1825 in unserer Region. Vortrag vor der Familienkundlichen Arbeitsgruppe der Männer vom Morgenstern am 5. Oktober 2002 (Quellenauszüge, bes. zum Land WurstenLand WurstenLand Wursten is a Samtgemeinde in the district of Cuxhaven, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated approximately 20 km southwest of Cuxhaven, and 15 km north of Bremerhaven...
)