Extreme weather threatens dyke   

By The Holland Times Thursday 05 January 2012, 15:01

Noord-Holland, Firesland and Groningen have been issued a code orange weather warning from KNMI as gale force winds batter that part of the country. Winds of 100kph, hail and heavy rain are causing concern for flooding and threatening the breach of a local dyke.

According to ANP news agency, 80 people have been asked to evacuate the Groningen village of Tolbert in response to the dyke fears. The Tolberter Petten polder is home to 10 farms over a 200 hectare area. Already, energy company Nam has closed two of its plants along the polder region. Water levels in the area are reported to have reached a 14-year high.

Air traffic has also been affected, with 30 flight cancelled at Schiphol airport and passengers facing delays of upwards of an hour.