Maeslantkering flood barrier

Netherlands / Zuid-Holland / Brielle / Maeslantkeringweg
 flood protection  Add category
Flood barrier on the Maas River. Each of the arms is as large as the Eiffel Tower.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maeslantkering
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   51°57'16"N   4°9'48"E

Comments

  • At November 8, 2007 a heavy storm from the north west is occurring. This might be the first occasion for closing of the barrier due to a storm. On 10 pm local time, Dutch TV brought the news that shipping traffic on the Nieuwe Waterweg had come to a standstill. The closing procedure is expected to start at 11 pm. To be continued...
  • On November 8, 2007 a storm from the north west hit the Dutch coast. Despite the relatively low wind speeds a storm surge, high enough to start the barrier's closing procedure, occurred. Therefore the barrier was closed due to a storm surge for the first time since its construction[1]. As the Oosterscheldekering and Hartelkering storm surge barriers were also closed, the entire Dutch coast was protected against flooding for the first time since 1976. On 10.00 pm local time (CET), Dutch TV brought the news that maritime traffic on the Nieuwe Waterweg was shut off. The closing procedure of the Maeslantkering started at 11.10 pm. The barrier was completely closed at 01.00 am and is expected to reopen at 5.00 pm.
  • On September 20, 2008, the barrier was closed for testing purposes. I was there and I took some pictures.
This article was last modified 7 years ago