Start of storm season - October 1 to April 1
For us as a water board, the storm season begins on October 1. The storm season lasts until April 1, because October to April is when storms and high water levels are most common. During these months, we are extra alert and keep a close eye on our dikes.
As a water authority, we are always alert because we are an emergency response organization. This means that we take immediate action in the event of:
- Emergencies. Situations in which the dikes, water levels, or water quality are seriously endangered. And with that, the safety of our residents.
- High tide at sea. High tide at sea occurs during springtides and north or northwesterly storms.
Storm surge warning service
- Does Rijkswaterstaat expect sea levels at Delfzijl to reach NAP (Normal Amsterdam Level) +3 meters or higher? If so, the first phase of the storm surge watch service will commence. Together with the people from the Hunze & Aa’s Water Board, we will then close the dike passages in Delfzijl. There are three of these around the port area of Delfzijl, Waterpoort, and Ruyterpoort.
- Is the expected water level NAP +3.80 meters or higher? Then the teams that inspect the dikewill also spring into action. We call this second phase full dike monitoring.
Ensure good water management every day
Storm season ornot: we ensure safe dikes and quays, clean water, purified wastewater, and sufficient water all year round. We do this in a large part of Groningen, in North and Central Drenthe, and in a small part of Friesland.
- We use pumping stationsto pump water into and out of the area. For example, to combat droughtor high water levels. We also treat the water used by residents and businesses.
Almost 400,000 people live in our 144,000-hectare working area. It is an area full of challenges.
- For example, we have sea level rise to the north of our working area.To combat this, we must keep our dikes safe.
- And the land subsidence in the middle of our area. This causes the water level to rise and makes it more difficult for us to drain water.
- We are also experiencing increasing periods of extreme drought and precipitation.
- And we are concerned about water quality.
In short: our water authority manages a unique area. In that area, all these developments have a major impact on our work.
Storm season
Storms and high water levels occur most frequently between October and May. During this period, we are ready to monitor the dikes and quays.
