1950s: The North Sea Flood, northwest Europe

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One of Europe’s most dramatic weather events took place on 31 January 1953, when hurricane-force winds gathered over the North Sea and caused a mighty storm surge. The wall of water barreled towards the Netherlands, Britain’s east coast and parts of Belgium. In the former, the flooding, which became known as Watersnoodramp, led to at least 1,800 deaths and an extensive loss of livestock and property. It was the Netherlands' worst natural disaster.

Historic weather events that shocked the world (msn.com)

1950s: The North Sea Flood, northwest Europe One of Europe’s most dramatic weather events took place on 31 January 1953, when hurricane-force winds gathered over the North Sea and caused a mighty storm surge. The wall of water barreled towards the Netherlands, Britain’s east coast and parts of Belgium. In the former, the flooding, which became known as Watersnoodramp, led to at least 1,800 deaths and an extensive loss of livestock and property. It was the Netherlands' worst natural disaster.