It may seem like an odd time to think about flooding during a dry spell, but extreme weather due to climate change means both more droughts and more downpours. What areas in Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland are most prone to flooding?
Translation by Traci White
Citing research by Bluelabel, Dutch national broadcaster NOS published a map of the areas of the Netherlands that are the most susceptible to flooding. In the north, the cities of Groningen, Leeuwarden and Emmen are the more flood-prone in the northern provinces.
Bluelabel’s analysis created projections based on 93 millimetres of rainfall within a little more than an hour (70 minutes). Under those conditions, about 30 percent of the homes in Groningen could end up with water damage. In Leeuwarden, around 29 percent of properties could be flooded, and in Emmen, 27 percent of buildings would be at risk from torrential rains. As for Assen, 20 percent of properties would be vulnerable.
Low lying areas and sections of cities with a lot of asphalt and concrete-covered areas area likelier to flood because water is not able to drain away quickly enough in the event of sudden heavy rainfall.
You can check out an interactive map to see how your municipality would handle a sudden downpour.
Photo source: Flickr/Bart Everson
