Catastrophic incidents in Brandenburg result in substantial destruction and loss
Brandenburg Experiences Higher Natural Disaster Damages in 2020
Berlin - According to Jörg Asmussen, CEO of the German Insurance Association (GDV), the damages caused by natural disasters in Brandenburg last year were significantly higher than in 2019, totaling 92 million euros. This is an increase from the previous year's 76 million euros.
The total damage is expected to be much higher, as not all incidents are insured. Out of the insured damages, 49 million euros were caused by storms and hail, and approximately 18 million euros were paid out for flooding and heavy rain. Car insurance paid out 25 million euros for natural hazard damages to vehicles.
Large-scale damages were reported, notably during July's start of the summer holidays. Heavy rain and storms led to basement floods, uprooted trees, and temporary suspensions of flight traffic at Berlin's main airport BER.
In September, the Oder river in eastern Brandenburg overflowed its banks, causing flooding in gardens, garages, and streets in Eisenhüttenstadt. The region issued the highest alert level 4. Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) visited the area to assess the situation and offer support.
Compared to the most severely affected states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg experienced relatively minor damages, with insurance damages in the former states totaling around 1.6 billion euros each last year.
Climate-related natural disasters, such as floods due to heavy rainfall, have increased across Germany in recent years due to climate change and urbanization. In urban areas like Braunschweig, these floods have led to significant economic and infrastructural damage. Efforts to address these impacts and achieve climate neutrality by 2045 continue nationwide.
Sources:[1] Rözer et al., Estimating Losses in Residential Buildings due to Pluvial Floods.[2] Germany aims for climate neutrality by 2045.
The increased damages in Brandenburg, totaling 92 million euros, can be attributed to climate-change associated natural disasters such as storms, hail, flooding, and heavy rain. This rise in damages underscores the need for better weather forecasting and more focus on environmental-science research to mitigate the impacts of such disasters. Ongoing efforts to address these climate-related challenges and achieve climate neutrality by 2045 are crucial to reducing the economic and infrastructural damages caused by extreme weather events across Germany.
