- Severe winter flooding resulted in €40 million worth of destruction.
Due to the severe winter flooding, estimated damages of about 40 million euros have been inflicted on protective structures in Saxony-Anhalt. This impacted weirs, pumping stations, measuring devices, and dikes, all requiring prompt repairs, as per Environment Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD). He commented that the recent New Year's flooding presented a substantial challenge for the flood defenses, which were successfully navigated.
For the first time in two decades, the entire state witnessed a flood crisis. While the focus lay primarily on the Kelbra dam and the Helme river areas, all waterways within the state felt the impact, stated Willingmann. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or damage due to breached dikes.
The Flood Protection Authority has now submitted its report on the damages to the protective structures. December 2023 marked the wettest December in 150 years, according to Willingmann. The major sources of damage were prolonged water pressure and debris, both floating and washed away.
Besides repairing damages, addressing the instability of approximately 100 kilometers of dikes, which were already identified as unstable prior to the winter flood, is of utmost importance, Willingmann indicated.
In comparison to the overall dike system spanning around 1,360 kilometers, this is a relatively small portion. Since 2002, the ministry has invested around 1.5 billion euros into Saxony-Anhalt's flood protection measures.
Armin Willingmann, the Environment Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, emphasized the need to address the instability of approximately 100 kilometers of dikes, which were already identified as unstable before the winter flood. Despite the significant investments of around 1.5 billion euros into Saxony-Anhalt's flood protection measures since 2002, as mentioned by Willingmann, the repair and stabilization of the dikes remain crucial following the winter flood.
