Ruisbroek 1976 - 2026

Fifty years after the floods of 1976, Ruisbroek reflected on a dramatic chapter in its history. The commemoration ceremony brought victims, residents and policymakers together in solidarity. Eyewitness Gaston Maes and alderman Yvo Van Damme gave a moving account of the events of 1976. The disaster painfully demonstrated how vulnerable our low countries were, and still are, to flooding. At the same time, it marked the start of intense cooperation between municipalities, regions and water managers: thanks to this cooperation, stronger dykes, better water management and well-thought-out spatial planning were put in place. What Zeeland 1953 was for the Delta Plan in the Netherlands, Ruisbroek 1976 was for the Sigma Plan in Belgium. The Sigma Plan is expected to be completed in 2030.

Crisis management, warning systems and prevention were also structurally improved: the achievements of recent decades prove that only joint efforts can make a difference. This commemoration is therefore not only a moment of remembrance, but also of gratitude. Gratitude for the resilience of the community and the commitment of many partners. Gratitude also for the people of Ruisbroek who brought the issue to the attention of the head of state in 1976, which was extremely unusual at the time, and the then King Baudouin I took this message to heart. In this spirit, the people of Ruisbroek demonstrate that building a safer future can only be achieved through cooperation.

Congratulations to Mayor Koen Van den Heuvel and his team for bringing everyone together with this serene memorial service and conveying this message of cooperation.