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Mensen vertrekken

Torn Lives

During the Flood of 1953, a total of 1,836 people died. Families were torn apart, and people watched helplessly as their neighbours drowned. How does one cope with such a tragedy? And is it possible to simply move on after such an event?

Mensen aan het werk

Working to Avoid Feeling

After the Flood, people focus on rebuilding the land and homes. The pain and loss are pushed aside by working tirelessly.

Fill the Void

After the disaster, people often have new children, perhaps to fill the void left by a drowned brother or sister. These children are sometimes referred to as "comfort children."

How many places were available for psychological help after the Flood Disaster?

Herdenking

The First Commemoration

As people grew older, they wanted to talk more about the Flood Disaster. The first memories were recorded in books. The first commemoration of the disaster took place in 1993.

"I had wanted to talk about it in my youth, but that was cut off; there was simply no discussion about it. You had to move on."

— Dick Sies, a Survivor of the Disaster
Watersnoodmuseum herdenking

The Watersnood Museum was built to provide a place of remembrance.

Watersnoodmuseum herdenking

Now, people organize memorials every year at multiple locations. During the 70th commemoration in 2023, even 500 people attended the museum.

See also
Het Watersnoodmuseum herdenking
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