The Great Gale of 1953

As the Met Office threatens to spread even more of the white stuff across the North East of Scotland, warning bells are sounding amongst those of us who recall the Great Gale of 1953.
On 31 January and 1 February 1953 a great storm surge, accompanied by gale force winds, swept out of the north, causing widespread flooding of coastal areas in the UK and Europe. Often referred to as the 1953 North Sea flood the storm caused massive devastation and loss of life.
The Netherlands, a country that is of course mainly located below mean sea level, suffered extensively recording 1,836 deaths. In England 307 people were killed in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. 19 Scots are recorded as having died.
As the Volkswagen's herd together behind the dykes in anticipation of the impending storm I have of course stocked up with fuel and cat supplies and have sent the full text of the article to the Aberdeen Voice so that in the event of my demise at least someone will know what happened.