The Great Storm was a meteorological event that devastated the
Fetr'andt Delta region. A combination of high winds and flooding led to thousands of deaths and extensive property damage.
Abundant rains upstream had already caused the
Great Father to rise to high levels. Wind from the north and a spring tide pushed water from the sea into the delta. The result was catastrophic for the inhabitants of the low-lying communities.
Impact
The storm flattened most of the port district in
Wijt. In response, a wealthy merchant rebuilt one of these buildings using imported stone. This became the famous
Vijnul Tower.
The devastation led to a decade of famine and political instability in the region. The major political centers of Wijt, T'omba, and Minrik lost their grip on the surrounding areas as they turned inward to deal with their own internal problems. Many smaller communities reverted to an autonomous state.
Ecological effects
The storm struck during nesting season for waterfowl, wiping out almost an entire generation of birds. In addition, crucial nesting habitats on Fijkil island sustained severe damage. The flocks migrated away early, causing hunger in communities that depended on fowling. While the birds would return the following year, they would be diminished in number since no new generation had replaced older birds that died.
Fijkil Sands
The
Fijkil Sands are only attested to in sources after this period. Because of this, it is widely believed that they emerged as a consequence of this storm. Some claim they used to be a part of Fijkil island but that the land was submerged during the storm. Others that the sands were created from material ripped from the nearby coast as the flood waters receded.
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