Local mayor Ben Plandsoen told national broadcaster NOS that a polder - reclaimed land that is drained by pumps and mills - would likely be submerged under some 40 centimeters (16 inches) of water if the dike protecting it breaks.
The densely populated nation of nearly 17 million, 25 percent of which lies below sea level, has been drenched by heavy rain and buffeted by strong northwesterly winds for days.The rain saturated dikes and filled drainage canals and rivers while gales lashing the coast hampered efforts to pump the excess water out of canals and into the sea.
No deaths or injuries have been reported in the Netherlands, though the strong winds caused delays at the country's main airport, Schiphol, and on railways.
For more: High Water Sparks Dutch Evacuations - weather.com
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