Flood risks
Flood risks in the Netherlands
Climate change impacts vary depending on geographic location, however on a global scale there will be an increase in temperature and changing rainfall patterns, these changes will lead to a range of impacts such as:
- Increase in storm and flood events
- Sea level rise
- Increase in heat stress events and drought
- Increase in precipitation and subsequent floods
- Increase in tropical cyclone intensity
Risks for the Netherlands
Water
Annual precipitation in the Netherlands has increased by about 20% in the last century and periods of heavy rainfall have become much more frequent. Future scenarios include higher risk of river and water drainage flooding (as a result of intense precipitation) and declining surface water quality (water temperature, algal growth) and biodiversity.
Structural
Although these large scale defenses are amongst the best in the world, the Netherlands spends €1 billion every year maintaining large-scale flood defenses like these. In addition, “The physical process of closing the Maeslantkering takes half an hour. For the arms to sink, it takes another two hours. And of course all of this depends on the right tide conditions; the barrier can only be closed at rising tide.”.
Population in high risk areas
The high risk areas in Rotterdam house port facilities, railroads, tunnels and a large portion of the working population in that area, and the number of people living in these areas in only increasing. Rotterdam’s port is regarded as safe because it is located several meters above sea level, however it also lies outside the dike protection system and is only protected by a smaller storm barrier, so high water levels can be problematic.
Predisposed to stress
The city of Rotterdam is already under the burden of having to constantly pump water out of the city and keep it out, these problems will only be exacerbated with growing climate extremes.
Economic Damage
Cost of damage to buildings and infrastructure is very high. Special attention is needed for the cultural heritage in the area, as many historic buildings are prone to future flooding
Read more about Utrecht University's sustainabilty topic Water, Climate and Ecosystems.