Günther calls for federal participation in storm surge damage

Finances - Günther Urges Federal Assistance for Storm Surge Damage in Baltic Sea

Nearly a month post the devastating storm surge in the Baltic Sea, Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President, Daniel Günther (CDU), is still pushing for the federal government to pitch in with suitable resources to address the damage. This expectation stems from media reports hinting at the federal government's reluctance to participate in the rebuilding process. According to a report by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, this is the stance of the federal government.

A spokesperson for the federal government confirmed, in response to a query from the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, that the flood was not deemed a significant, national-scale natural disaster. "A working group was established during the meeting between Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of government of the federal states on November 6," he explained. This group was tasked with determining whether the damage was on a scale comparable to the devastation observed in the Ahr Valley in the summer of 2021, which resulted in damages estimated at up to 30 billion euros at the time.

The working group has met twice, the spokesperson continued, with the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture concluding that the damage incurred—approximately 240 million euros—did not indicate that the storm surge constituted a significant, national-scale natural disaster. However, he subtly hinted at potential federal support from another source.

The spokesperson noted that the federal government is already contributing significantly to the funding of coastal protection measures as part of the joint initiative to "improve agricultural structures and climate protection" (GAK). The federal government covers more than two-thirds of the expenses associated with these measures. He also mentioned that within the working group, it was agreed to examine whether any remaining unspent GAK funds for 2023 could be reallocated and made available to the affected states. This assessment is currently underway.

In response to an inquiry from the State Chancellery in Kiel, a spokeswoman expressed surprise at the report from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. She stated that they had yet to receive such an assessment officially.

Günther reiterated his faith in the Chancellor's word. During the Conference of Minister Presidents on November 6, the Federal Chancellor had pledged to provide appropriate federal funding to cover the costs resulting from the severe storm surge on the Baltic Sea coast in October. "It's high time for the federal government to clarify how this promise will be fulfilled," said Günther.

The storm surge on October 21 left an indelible mark along the Baltic coast, culminating in one woman's tragic death on Fehmarn.

Further Reading

• Despite media reports suggesting otherwise, the federal government has shown no inclination to participate in the reconstruction efforts following the severe storm surge in the Baltic Sea, as per Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein.
• The storm surge on October 21 caused extensive damage and claimed the life of one woman on Fehmarn.
• Despite the damage resulting in losses amounting to around 240 million euros, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has yet to classify the incident as a significant, national-scale natural disaster.
• Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President, Daniel Günther, has criticized this assessment, imploring the federal government to make an appropriate contribution to the costs associated with the storm surge damage.
• Günther claimed that Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised at the Conference of Minister Presidents on November 6 to provide appropriate federal funding for the costs incurred by the storm surge.
• The German Press Agency reported that a government spokesperson confirmed on Sunday evening that the storm surge was not considered a significant, national-scale natural disaster, despite the damage exceeding 240 million euros.
• The working group established to examine whether the damage was substantial enough to warrant national-scale classification has met twice, but the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has yet to classify the storm surge as such.
• The federal government is already contributing significantly to coastal protection measures, covering more than two-thirds of the expenses associated with these measures as part of the joint initiative to "improve agricultural structures and climate protection" (GAK).

Source:

The German federal government's decision not to classify the storm surge damage in the Baltic Sea as a significant, national-scale natural disaster is not explicitly addressed in the provided sources. However, the context of natural disaster management and classification can be inferred from general practices and principles:

1. Classification Criteria: Typically, significant, national-scale natural disasters are classified based on the severity of the impact, the extent of the affected area, and the economic and social consequences. The decision to classify an event as a significant, national-scale disaster often involves a comprehensive assessment of these factors by relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community (BMI) in Germany[4].
2. Economic and Social Impact: The severity of the storm surge damage would need to be substantial enough to warrant classification as a significant, national-scale disaster. This includes significant economic losses, widespread destruction, and a substantial impact on the population and infrastructure[4].
3. Chancellor's Promise: Chancellor Olaf Scholz's promise to contribute appropriately suggests that there is an acknowledgment of the severity of the damage. However, the actual decision-making process and criteria used by the government to classify the event are not detailed in the provided sources.
4. Potential Factors: The decision might be influenced by various factors, including the extent of damage compared to other recent events, the availability of resources for disaster relief, and the overall strategic priorities of the government. Without specific details, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons behind the classification decision.

In summary, while the sources do not provide explicit information on how the German federal government legitimized its decision, it is likely that the classification was based on a thorough assessment of the damage's severity and impact, as well as broader strategic considerations. The lack of detailed information suggests that the decision might have been influenced by a combination of these factors, but the exact reasoning remains unclear without further context.