The severity of the floods and the emergency response will in all probability see the situation recognised as a "National disaster". Record water levels of rain since Monday 6 November, with the governor of West Flanders declaring the provincial emergency plan for the Westhoek region at the end of last week. 196 litres of rain fell per square metre in recent days – more than double the median of all Flemish measuring points (82 litres). Not far off, Ypres saw 169 litres over the same period. The soil is completely saturated in many locations, meaning rain can no longer be absorbed by the subsoil and making it susceptible to flooding. Water levels stabilised thanks to drier conditions on Thursday afternoon and on Friday. However, a new rain zone is expected on Saturday. Source: The Brussels Times.