Swamped: Hamburg's Fish Market Year's First Major Storm Surge Ordeal
The powerful force of Friday night's storm surge washed the Elbe's waters ashore, leaving the iconic fish market and its nearby streets underwater. Witnesses reported waist-high depths in certain areas. Sadly, not all vehicles had been evacuated in time, resulting in their flooding as well. Emergency services and law enforcement officers spent the night digging through flooded automobiles, seeking any individuals trapped within. A number of onlookers gravitated to the scene, observing the devastating impact of the storm surge beside the fish market.
According to the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, the initial severe storm surge of the season peaked at the St. Pauli gauge shortly before 10 p.m. that night. The following, second severe storm surge was anticipated shortly before noon the following day. Estimates suggested the water levels would reach as high as 3.0 meters above average high-tide.
Insights into the St. Pauli gauge:
Additional Reading:
Hamburg's renowned fish market, known for supplying fresh seafood, suffered substantial damage in the wake of the catastrophic flooding caused by the storm surge. Despite the unfavorable weather, some resilient individuals chose to remain and survey the results of the storm surge by the flooded market. Regrettably, numerous cars were swallowed by the deluge. The Elbe, which usually enhances the city's appeal, transformed into a destructive agent during this storm surge.
Historical Context:
Numerous significant severe storm surges and subsequent floods have besieged the Elbe and Hamburg, especially at the St. Pauli gauge:
- 1976 Hurricane "Capella": Capella triggered one of the biggest storm surges in history that almost eradicated the building that later became Strandperle Hamburg in the Övelgönne district. This disaster exposed the vulnerability of the Elbe River to extreme weather conditions.[1]
- 1953 Storm Surge: Although not explicitly mentioned in relation to the St. Pauli gauge, a storm surge of nearly 3.4 meters above average high-water level engulfed vast sections of the Netherlands delta region in 1953. This event was part of a broader series of floods affecting Europe during that year, emphasizing the potential for catastrophic flooding along the North Sea coast, including Hamburg.[4]
- 2004 Incident: A massive freighter's risky maneuver on the Elbe resulted in a significant wave that deluged the entire beach and Strandperle Hamburg in 2004. This occurrence serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risk of flooding and damage from water-related incidents along the Elbe River.[1]
Although specific records for the St. Pauli gauge were not detailed in the available sources, these events collectively demonstrate the history of severe storm surges and flooding in the Hamburg and Elbe River regions. This highlights the importance of implementing robust flood protection measures.
Sources:
[1] [Trachsel, O. J. (n.d.). Germany – Cruise Ports Guides – HISTORY OF HAMBURG – Amadeus Cruises and Tours.] (https://www.amadeus-cruises.com/genword/city_history.aspx?city_id=69) [4] [Noétzli, R. (2018, Jan 15). Worst Disasters in the History of the Netherlands. Genius Knots. https://geniusknots.com/worst-disasters-in-the-history-of-the-netherlands/]
