The authorities in the areas of East Flanders that have been worst affected by the flooding of the past few days say that the situation is now largely under control Meanwhile, the emergency services are cautiously optimistic regarding water levels and the prospect of more rain.
No additional homes have been evacuated in Ghent, and in Geraardsbergen, residents that were evacuated on Wednesday morning are able to return home.
In the village of Zandbergen that is part of Geraardsbergen residents of seven houses were evacuated on Wednesday morning due to rising water. They were allowed to return home on Thursday afternoon.
The River Leie
Water levels on the River Leie are also dropping and the situation in Deinze, Sint-Martens-Latem and the Ghent districts of Drongen, Afsnee and Sint-Denijs-Westrem is stable. In Afsnee, two houses were evacuated on Wednesday evening because they were in danger of flooding. Their residents have not been allowed to return home yet.
At the lock complex in Terneuzen (The Netherlands), shipping traffic is partially shut down to allow accelerated evacuation of water.
Situation stable
In Wichelen, the local Mayor Kenneth Taylor (liberal) told journalists that "We are no longer seeing the high water levels of the past few days. By deploying additional pumps, we have got the situation under control. No additional homes are threatened at the moment."
Water levels are also stabilising in Erpe-Mere, Aalst and Ninove the outlook is also favourable.