Struck down, but not destroyed - Zierikzee

Zierikzee is severely affected during the Watersnoodle disaster. In the early morning, the flood boards break and sea water enters the town.

Willem Bakker lives in Zierikzee at the time of the disaster. Almost all communication with the outside world is broken so he keeps a record on his typewriter. On disaster night, he watches the swirling water pour into the streets for hours. As the water subsides, mud remains on the streets. During the day, Willem walks through the neighbourhood and sees that not all the houses' foundations were strong enough; some have largely collapsed. Eventually, Willem and his wife are evacuated; they are able to stay with their children in Hilversum.

Because Schouwen-Duiveland was so badly affected by the disaster, all telephone connections had been destroyed. Radio technician Peter Hossfeld managed to make a radio from found objects and got in touch with the outside world. He made sure people knew about the tragedy on Schouwen-Duiveland so that help could be sent. This probably spared many lives.

Photo commemoration 1978: © National Archive