England is in a state of crisis and it sounds like the southern part of Holland is looking at the same thing. Western and northern parts of England are under water because of all the rain they have received. 15 centimeters in less than 24 hours is quite a bit of rain. However, there is another problem. Many parts of the country don’t have fresh drinking water or power because water treatment plants and power stations are under water. Now I have a co-worker who is British, her immediate family lives here in Holland but the extended family is still in Britain and the plan is to go to visit for a week starting Wednesday. A lovely way to start your vacation, especially since it is expected to continue raining in England for the remainder of the week!
That same storm is hovering over Holland has we speak because this storm is massive and is actually covering most of Europe! This thing is nasty! It has already started and should be steady through the night. We have at least three major rivers south near Limburg, Rotterdam, the southern part of the country and many minor rivers and canals. Plus there are parts of the country that actually sit on land that was once water and ground water levels that are higher than other parts of the country. With all this rain, there is a flood warning for parts of the country. Yet we Dutchies are more fortunate than the British are, we have better defenses against the water. Holland is known throughout the world as the people to take on the water. There is an interesting saying. ‘God created the world but the Dutch created Holland’. They have mastered land reclamation and have the Delta Works system to keep Holland nice and dry.
I like to think I have gotten used to Dutch weather but the truth is when there is a massive rain like this I remind myself that I am in a country that is mostly below sea level and I freak out a bit. Dutchie is used to it but I still get a tad tense over the thought of heavy rain. The other thing I have definitely not gotten used to is the wind that we get here! My goodness, it can knock you right off your bike if you aren’t careful! I was riding home from work, it did not matter which direction I rode in, the wind was constantly against me, and it is so heavy and tiresome on your legs when you are riding ten to fifteen kilometers to get home!
My co-worker was telling me she is from the southern part of England and it isn’t nearly as bad there as up north but getting to her town will be an adventure all on its own. I wish her lots of luck with her travels!
Europe Weather, England flooding, Worldly Chatter, Dutch Delta Works, Netherlands Flood Alert
Well, it seems that while I was writing about the weather and flooding that happened here and in England, the place I grew up at had a bit of flooding of its own a few days earlier! This is Long Island, NY. My step father sent me an email and I was floored at what I missed! I had never seen the Island like this. I have seen a lot there but nothing like this! Glad I 
missed this one! I just wanted to share a little bit of home with you guys! Though I must admit… with this weather, I don’t miss it all that much! Lovely weather we are all having isn’t it!
