Description

A hurricane or wind force 12 with an average wind speed of over 117 km/h, is the most severe storm possible in our country. A hurricane is life-threatening and poses enormous risks. Flying roof tiles or uprooted trees lead to very dangerous situations. Roads get blocked and railway lines blocked and traffic and aviation come to a virtual standstill in such severe storms. The last time wind force 12 was briefly measured at a single location on our coast was 16 December 1979.

At sea, a hurricane produces metres-high waves and our levees are severely tested during a hurricane. The question is whether we can expect more hurricanes in the future as the climate changes? Can our levees withstand superstorms that we now think have a negligible chance of occurring? Are our statistics adequate to make good statements about water levels during superstorms? And what are the consequences for insurers and water managers if hurricanes become more frequent?

Whether hurricanes will become more frequent, and how we as the Netherlands can anticipate this is what this symposium is about

13.00:00 Opening: Prof Jeroen Aerts, chairman Department of Land Use and Water Management, KIVI NIRIA

13:10 Can super storms and hurricanes occur in the Netherlands? by Dr Andreas Sterl, KNMI

13:40 What is the impact of super storms on water levels? by Ir. Douwe Dillingh, Deltares

14.15 PM Break
**For those interested, there will be a tour of the RWS Water Management Centre by Dr Paul de Graaf, Project Leader Water Management Centre of the Netherlands (WMCN)**

14.45 PM Practice: RWS Storm Surge Warning Service by Jan Kroos, Head of RWS-SVWD

15:15 What are the consequences of superstorms and can we insure against them? by Gijs Kloek MBA, Achmea Insurance

15:45 Panel discussion led by Drs Ferdi Timmermans, Movares

16:45 Drinks and Closing

Location

Water Management Centre of the Netherlands (WMCN)

Smedinghuis, Zuiderwagenplein 2, Lelystad

Organiser

Land Use and Water Management

Name and contact details for information

Further information from Kaj Valk at the e-mail address below.

kaj.valk@movares.nl