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Floods in Germany

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Floods in Germany are a common phenomenon that causes significant economic damage and loss of life. Heavy rainfall, exceeding 100 mm within 24 hours, can lead to rapid rises in water levels, causing floods. The Rhine, Elbe, Danube, and Moselle rivers are prone to flooding due to their proximity to the Alps and dense tributary network. According to the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community (BMI), floods have caused an average of €1.3 billion in damages annually between 1990 and 2019.

List of floods

North Sea flood of 1962

  • The North Sea flood of 1962, also known as the Great Flood of Hamburg, occurred between February 16 and 17, 1962. A powerful storm surge caused flooding in the Elbe River, with water levels reaching 5.7 metres (19 ft) above sea level. The flood led to widespread damage and infrastructure collapse in Hamburg, resulting in around 347 reported fatalities and approximately 60,000 individuals displaced. In response to the disaster, rescue efforts involving over 26,000 personnel were undertaken.

References

  1. "Extreme weather events in Europe for 2021 and beyond" (PDF). MILLIMAN REPORT.
  2. Tovar Reaños, Miguel A. (2021-02-01). "Floods, flood policies and changes in welfare and inequality: Evidence from Germany". Ecological Economics. 180: 106879. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106879. ISSN 0921-8009.
  3. Madruga de Brito, Mariana; Sodoge, Jan; Kreibich, Heidi; Kuhlicke, Christian (2025). "Comprehensive Assessment of Flood Socioeconomic Impacts Through Text-Mining". Water Resources Research. 61 (1): e2024WR037813. doi:10.1029/2024WR037813. ISSN 1944-7973.
  4. "The Great Flood of 1962 in Hamburg". Environment & Society Portal. 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  5. "Storm Flood 1962 - HHLA". HHLA Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  6. Defensie, Ministerie van (2017-09-12). "Storm surge in Hamburg - Historical missions - Defensie.nl". english.defensie.nl. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
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