Christmas storm tide 1717

Waterride

On Christmas Eve 1717, the citizens of Hamburg ring in the holy night like they do every year: they attend the church service in a stiff breeze before celebrating the Christmas feast together with their families.

Yet when they turn in for the night after their cosy celebration, they have no idea of the brewing danger that is about to pull them from their peaceful sleep just a few hours later…

The storm surge that befalls the city on the night of December 24th takes the citizens of Hamburg completely by surprise. It had been storming the entire day yet by nightfall the wind suddenly shifts to northeast and then grows into a hurricane. The water rises rapidly and when the church bells eventually ring their alarm, it is already too late for many. But there is still hope! “To the boats, the dikes can’t hold much longer!” a voice offers a warning through the roaring storm – and so you’re off, fleeing the relentless floodwaters that are coming closer and closer by the minute. But the trip to the lock that promises safety is long and perilous…