The sand cliffs are the result of the powerful wind gusts and high water levels of Storm Benjamin. “It is the combination of stormy weather and high water,” Derudder explains. “As a result, the waves reach further onto the beach and bite away pieces of the soft sand. This is how those steep walls are created.”
In Knokke-Heist some cliffs measure up to one and a half meters high, but also in other seaside resorts such as Bredene, Middelkerke and Blankenberge damage is visible. Only the west coast was largely spared.
The clean-up works are expensive, but according to the Agency they are necessary to make the beach safe again for residents and tourists during the autumn holidays.