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October 30, 2025

🌬️ Storm Benjamin once again shows the character of a harbour outside the dikes

Last week, Storm Benjamin brought high water levels and flooded streets to the harbour of Scheveningen. The images, shared by Regio15, clearly show how powerful the North Sea can be when wind and tide converge.

For most residents and businesses in the harbour, this comes as no surprise: Scheveningen Harbour lies outside the dikes. This means the area is not protected by primary flood defences, such as dunes or dikes. As a result, during storm surges or exceptionally high tides, water can temporarily cover parts of the streets.

What does “outside the dikes” mean?

The Netherlands is protected from flooding by an extensive system of dike rings and coastal defences. Areas outside these protected zones are known as “buitendijkse gebieden”, or areas outside the dikes.

These areas, such as parts of the Scheveningen harbour, are intentionally designed to withstand occasional flooding without significant damage or risk to residents.

Historically, the harbour was developed as a working area for fishing, shipping, and maritime industries, which explains its location at sea level. During storms or spring tides, waves can wash over the streets, a situation that typically occurs a few times per year and only briefly.

Living at ground level is not permitted

Because Scheveningen Harbour lies outside the dikes, specific building and zoning regulations apply. According to the Provincial Environmental Regulation of South Holland and the Dutch Building Decree under the Environment and Planning Act (BBL), permanent residence at ground level is not allowed in unprotected areas.

The reason is clear: safety. During high water, it must be possible for the area to flood temporarily without putting residents at risk. That’s why buildings in the harbour area are often elevated, with storage or workspace on the ground floor and residential levels above.

A resilient harbour built for changing tides

Although the sight of water on the streets may raise questions, the harbour is designed to handle such events. The streets, drainage, and sewer systems are built to cope with temporary flooding. Once the storm subsides and the tide recedes, the water quickly drains away, and the harbour resumes its normal activity.

📸 View the images of the high water caused by Storm Benjamin on Regio15.nl.