Disasters

Dead pilot whale washed ashore near Egmond

A dead pilot whale washed ashore near Egmond, North Holland, after the weekend storm. It was already decomposing and had apparently died before the storm, which carried it onto the beach. SOS Dolfijn reported the animal's discovery on Monday morning.

Beach workers also found dead porpoises and two dead seals in the days around the storm, while three live seals were taken in by SOS Dolfijn in Anna Paulowna. Carcasses may be sent to Utrecht University for research, unless their condition is too poor.

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Housing

Preparations for stormy weather on North Holland beaches

2 sources

Workers removed bins, concrete slabs and dragline bulkheads from the beaches at Castricum, Bergen and Egmond ahead of expected stormy weather as Storm Austen approached the Netherlands. A beach maintenance worker said the highest water levels were expected overnight from Sunday to Monday, particularly if the wind turned northwesterly, and warned that sand could wash away and create quicksand. He said pavilions near the water could be at risk.