Monster Wave 18 Million Euros in Debt for Damp after Baltic Tempest
18 million euros allocated for post-storm flood drainage in the Baltic Sea region - Monetary Compensation of Eighteen Million Euros Granted After Destructive Baltic Storm Flooding
Hey there! Let's talk about some rough seas.
Back in 2023, a mammoth tempest barreled down on the Baltic, causing a colossal surge in water levels of over two meters above the average. This stormy spectacle left a trail of destruction, particularly in the town of Damp, within the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district. The government has stepped up with a whopping 17.9 million euros in aid for the reconstruction, as per the Ministry of Economics.
Damp looks a bit worse for wear still. "Currently, we've got 110 mooring spots in emergency mode," Mayor Barbara Feyock told the German Press Agency. Before the tempest struck, there were 365. "A total of 32 boats sank." They sank so deep, they ended up submerged, but some even landed on the piers.
Rebuilding Paradise
In October 2024, Damp filed for reconstruction aid from the state. This funding will go towards revamping the harbor with a dazzling new design. They're also planning to construct a new mole on the south side for higher resilience against future tempests.
The entire project costs a hefty 23.9 million euros. The government will shoulder 75% of this cost over a period of three years. But don't start the construction just yet – the project needs to be tendered throughout Europe first, Feyock said. She's hopeful the work will be finished by the end of 2027.
Breaking Records
Economy and Tourism State Secretary Julia Carstens told the dpa that, with this record funding, the region would not only return to its former tourist glory but surpass it: The existing north mole will not only be restored and relocated, but a snazzy new mole will also be built to the south. "This will not only make the place more enticing for tourists, but also more storm-resistant."
Damp is a charming resurrection of a Baltic coastal town, filled with water sports, beach holidays, cycling, and hiking trails. "And these wondrous attractions should be fully restored soon, which will also pay off for the multitude of spa and rehabilitation guests," Carstens said, reminding us that overnight stays in health clinics have been steadily rising in recent years.
Heavy Damage
The tempest of October 20th and 21st battered dikes, harbors, boats, campsites, and hotels. Flensburg reported a record level of 2.27 meters. Large chunks broke off from promenades and streets, and some were washed away entirely. The damages along the Baltic coast amounted to hundreds of millions of euros.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania fared better than its neighboring Schleswig-Holstein, but the destruction in Sassnitz and the peninsula Fischland/Darß/Zingst was still evident. The Ministry of the Environment's balance sheet for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania showed damages of 56 million euros.
- Baltic Sea
- News
- Reconstruction
- Rendsburg-Eckernförde District
- German Press Agency
Fun Fact!
Did you know? The Baltic Sea is actually the world's asteroid-impact basin, formed 35 million years ago when a meteor struck Earth! It's one of the oldest and largest impact basins on our planet. Just imagine that tempest in comparison to the colossal meteor strike – nature can be pretty crazy! 🌊💥🌏
- Despite the devastation caused by the 2023 Baltic tempest, Damp, an EC country, is planning to boost its vocational training programs, focusing on environmental science and weather-forecasting, to prepare its workforce for the reconstruction and future climate-change-related challenges.
- Simultaneously, Damp, within the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district, is dedicating a substantial portion of its reconstruction aid to scientific research, particularly in the field of studying and predicting weather patterns to minimize damage from potential storms in the future.
- In addition to retraining its workforce, Damp is also focusing on building a stronger, more resilient infrastructure, with an emphasis on promoting environmental-science education and adopting innovative, eco-friendly technologies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on its coastal communities.
