Dr. Tineke D'Haeseleer
Not sure if we’ve reached the highest point yet (forecasted for this afternoon).
- Police came and did a preventive welfare check yesterday night, and gave a nice letter from provincial and local authorities
- sandbags were available earlier today (we didn’t need them)
- motorised police were here keeping an eye on things here. I gave them a coffee and a glass of water - they’re out in the cold wind and rain all day
1/
#dender #overstroming #floods #wateroverlast
Jan 3, 2024 at 3:45pmWeb
Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerJan 3, 2024
- fire brigade has been up and down our area all night and day
- some neighbours have an anxious time, but nothing like 2010 yet
- facebook rumours about imminent evacuation of our streets are ridiculous
- I did see the mayor drive around yesterday night late! He really follows up with coordination and for those who want the human touch
2/
#dender #overstroming #floods #wateroverlast
Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerJan 3, 2024

There is already a ton of critique building on the delays with refurbishing the locks and weirs on the Dender.

We’re also have an abnormal amount of rain on oversaturated soil, flooding is to be expected.

And we live in the area where in the 50s-60s people came ice skating, these were the natural holding basins and flood plains of the river. Building came with risks, risks that intensified as the rain patterns changed.

3/
#dender #overstroming #floods #wateroverlast

Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerJan 3, 2024

It’s hard to hear people say we should move or that we chose this ourselves. Some of this situation is the result of decades of mismanagement and incorrect understanding of how water behaves; some of it the result of changing weather patterns (aka climate change). Some people built here without knowing or understanding the risks.

In short: stuff is complex, people are emotional, and water is pretty, you can’t do without, and it’s dangerous.

4/4

#dender #overstroming #floods #wateroverlast

Show threadSheepnikJan 3, 2024
@tinebeest Gosh, stay safe!
Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerJan 3, 2024
@sheepnik thanks! so far so good for us.
Show threadArtByCuttingJan 3, 2024
@tinebeest Hope levels are dropping? I used to live on a very flat part of the country with the confluence of three rivers nearby. Much new housing on lands known to flood. Sounds like your services are prepared and proactive.
Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerJan 3, 2024
@artbycutting They got a bit higher yet between 3 and 5pm  It got all the way to the speed bump Ii’m standing on for that picture.
But it rained a little less this afternoon than predicted here, so maybe we’re at the turning point. I need to check the high tide in the Schelde, it will push water upstream for us in this situation - or prevent it from draining, definitely!
Show threadvillainous friendJan 3, 2024
@tinebeest I hope the danger passes quickly!
Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerJan 3, 2024
@villainousfriend Thanks! We ourselves are ok but some of our neighbours are having a white-knuckled ride again  
Also lots of “disaster tourists” today. SMH