The Netherlands was liberated on 5 May 1945. 190,000 hectares of soil had now been inundated. Walcheren (16,000 ha) and the Wieringermeer were given priority by the government with regard to the repair work. Preparations for the repair of the dike started on 24 May and the dike was closed again on 5 August. Four days later, the dike was made strong enough to start draining the polder. On December 11, 1945, the Wieringermeer dried up again and the repair of roads, bridges and driveways could begin. On April 1, 1946, 229 families again lived in the Wieringermeer . Because the flooding concerned fresh water and not seawater, the harvest of 1946 and 1947 was as before.