In January of 1953, a tidal surge shook the North Sea.
The titanic waves flooded the Dutch coastline, killing almost 2,000 people.
54 years later, a similar storm threatened the region.
But this time, the Netherlands were ready.
As the water swelled, state-of-the-art computer sensors activated emergency protocols.
Over the next 30 minutes, a pair of 240-meter steel arms swung shut, protecting the channel ahead.
Using 680-tonne ball joints, the barrier moved in rhythm with the shifting wind and waves.
By morning, the storm had passed with minimal flooding.
The first field activation of the Maeslantkering had been a resounding success.
As one of the planet's largest mobile structures, this storm surge barrier is a marvel of human engineering.
