Storm flood ruins in Sassnitz: Millions of damage remain unsolved!

Storm flood ruins in Sassnitz: Millions of damage remain unsolved!

a year ago, on the night of October 21, 2023, the Baltic Sea coast was hit by a devastating storm that not only produced incredible waves, but also left massive damage in many places. The episodes in Sassnitz on Rügen are particularly visible, where sidewalks flushed away from the promenade and remaining debris shape the cityscape. Walkers have to move on uneven gravel paths because the financial scope for repairs is severely restricted. The municipality cannot afford the urgently needed renovations after the country has refused financial support for the promenade.

The promenade, the country justifies, is a tourist facility for which the city itself had to pay. Fortunately, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had hit it more glimpse compared to other areas in Schleswig-Holstein; Nevertheless, the balance remains worrying. While beaches were washed into the sea in many coastal regions and dikes broke, the costs for the damage to the damage were estimated at a total of 56 million euros nationwide.

Restoration of the coastal infrastructure

Although the restoration of the beaches and coastal lines was associated with millions of effort, there is a certain recovery. The coastal communities have started to stabilize sand and stabilize the dunes with typical beach plants such as beach halls. "Practically at the beginning of the tourism season we had fantastic beaches again," reports Karin Eiweleit, the Vice Mayor of Zingst. It emphasizes that the Ministry of the Environment estimates the total cost of these measures at around 13 million euros.

Such efforts are urgently needed because the flood has also seriously affected the beach promenades. According to the police, the floor slabs were raised through the waves and in some cases washed away completely. So worries about the infrastructure are anything but unfounded.

Another important aspect is the demand for environmental organizations such as the federal government to allow coast dynamics in some areas of the Baltic Sea. The organization argues that it is not only about the protection of residential areas, but also about the preservation of natural structures and ecosystems. BUND employee Pauline Damer pointed out that more in flood areas could also contribute to strengthening the coasts.

Especially with regard to the permanent challenges of climate change and the associated rising water levels, according to Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD), one also has to think about how new buildings are met. This cannot be considered detached from the new State Water Act, which is currently under discussion and, among other things, states that in future only flood protection for settlements built before 1993 should be borne by the state.

These developments not only make numerous coastal communities think, but could also affect future investments and projects on the coast. The potential for costly maintenance raises questions, especially since the construction boom after the turn in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, many new settlements created, which may now be less protected.

The constant pressure to maintain the beaches by rating is developing into a severe financial burden. In this practice, the federal government not only sees an economic challenge, but also a danger to the marine life in the affected areas. The constant interference with nature can have serious effects on the habitats of the animals in the sand.

In the analysis of the current situation, it becomes clear that the protection of the coastal regions is a complex and complex matter. Sustainable solutions are required that take into account the ecological matters and the financial circumstances of the municipalities. It remains to be seen how the debates about coastal protection will develop and whether alternative approaches to assurance will be given more attention in the future. More details on this topic are in a comprehensive report on www.ndr.de read.