The Burchardi Flood in October of 1634 killed more than 60,000 people in North Friesland, and swept others off their farms looking for new opportunities. Some families decided to start over in New Netherland, with several waves of immigrants to New Amsterdam and Rensselaerswyck arriving in the Dutch Colonial Period.
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North Frisia
Maps of North Frisia in 1651 (left) and 1240 (right) as drawn by cartographer Johannes Mejer (died 1674). Note the change in the coastline with submerged areas being indicated in the 1651 panel. The Island of Nordstrandt 's reduced coastline is visible.
Burchardi Flood
Boundary
Boundary Events