Storm-formed sand cliffs on Blankenberge and Middelkerke beaches being levelled
Machines are breaking down sand cliffs up to 1.2 metres high left by autumn storms Austen and Boelo on beaches at Blankenberge and Middelkerke this week.
The Maritime Services and Coast (MDK), the Flemish agency responsible for the coast, is levelling sand cliffs on Belgian beaches this week. The cliffs were left behind by autumn storms and reach up to 1.2 metres in height.
According to VRT NWS, the storms Austen and Boelo together created the cliffs on the beaches of Blankenberge and Middelkerke. The MDK is breaking them down with machines. Het Nieuwsblad, which names only storm Austen in connection with the damage at Blankenberge, reports that the cliffs on the beach there are also up to 1.2 metres high.
Het Nieuwsblad describes Blankenberge as the only place where intervention is needed. The newspaper says the cliffs are being levelled mechanically this week.
The work is meant to make the beaches safe again in time for the school break. MDK spokesperson Dries Derudder said: "This way everything is safe before the autumn holiday."
Original reporting
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How this article was made
BelgiumNow summarises reporting by Belgian media in English. This text was written with the help of AI from the facts in the reports listed above and checked automatically before publishing. For the full story, read the original reporting.