The storm and resulting surge that struck the UK, the Netherlands and Germany on 31 January 1953, overwhelmed the estuary island’s sea defences. Around 13,000 people were evacuated from their homes and 59 people were killed. A sturdy sea wall was later built to defend the island's scarred community from the sea. But with parts of the reclaimed estuary island lying below sea level and the North Sea rising due to climate change, it remains vulnerable to tidal flooding.

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