Storm surges and rising sea levels pose the greatest threat to parts of northern Germany and the Netherlands that are already below sea level. Some of the most severe historic storm surges include the 1953 North Sea flood that killed around 2,500 people in the Netherlands, Belgium, and England, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that killed around 1,800 people in the United States. Nowadays, fewer people are killed by storm surges because of improved early warning systems, shelters, and evacuation procedures. Storms produce strong winds and rain while storm surges are temporary sea level rises caused by strong onshore winds and low pressure during storms, especially in the North Sea and Baltic Sea in winter.

1. 1. Parts of northern Germany as well as the Netherlands are already
below the present sea level. Right or wrong?
This statement is true. About 26% of the country’s land
area is below present mean sea level and nearly 60% of the
country's area is susceptible to large-scale coastal and river
flooding.
The lowest point in the Netherlands, located in
Zuidplaspolder, is about 6.7 meters below sea level and the
lowest point in Germany, located in Neuendorf-Sachsenbande in
the state of Schleswig-Holstein, is about 3.54 meters below
sea level.
2. Was the loss of land, therefore the change of coastline, caused by the
rising sea level or by storm surges?
It is the combination of rising sea levels and storm
surges that poses the greatest threat to these regions. That's
why they are currently implementing measures to protect the
land and its inhabitants.
3. When did the most severe storms take place in the past 1000 years
and approximately how many lives were lost in each event? Name at
least 5 storm surges in different centuries!
1. North Sea flood of 1953 - Netherlands, Belgium, England -
killed around 2,500 people
2. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 - United States - killed around
1,800 people
3. Cyclone Nargis in 2008 - Myanmar - killed around 138,000
people
4. Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 - Philippines - killed around
6,000 people
5. Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 - Japan - killed around 100
people.

2. 6. Okeechobee Hurricane in 1928 - Florida, United States -
killed around 2,500 people.
4. Why do the storms today cause less victims than the storm surges in
the past, even though today many more people live in coastal area?
Nowadays early warning systems are in place. We also have
shelters and people have learned to evacuate dangerous areas.
5. What is the difference between storms and storm surges in northern
Europe?
Storms are large-scale atmospheric disturbances that can
produce strong winds, heavy rainfall, thunder, and lightning.
In northern Europe, storms can occur throughout the year, with
the highest frequency of storms occurring in the winter
months.
Storm surges are sudden and temporary rises in sea level
that occur during storms, when strong onshore winds and low
atmospheric pressure push water towards the coastline. Storm
surges are most common in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, where
they can be especially severe during winter storms.
6. How often and when do they primarily happen?
Storms and storm surges can happen anytime in Northern
Europe, but they are more frequent during the winter months
from November to February, when strong low-pressure systems
pass over the region. Additionally, climate change is causing
an increase in extreme weather events, including storms and
storm surges.