Alarming flood study: Brandenburg's risk increases dramatically!

Alarming flood study: Brandenburg's risk increases dramatically!

A current study by German Environmental Aid (DUH) shows worrying data on flood risks in Germany, especially in Brandenburg. According to the study, 6.2% of the state area of ​​Brandenburg are exposed to a very high risk of damage to the flood of the century. This affects around 14,000 residential addresses in the region. The federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia, which have extreme risk degree values, are particularly affected. In Bavaria there is even the highest risk degree with 8.29 points, which indicates that many regions in Germany are insufficiently protected from flooding, reports ZDF.

A flood of the century describes a flood outflow that is statistically reached once in 100 years. Due to the climate crisis, however, many regions have to expect more frequent water levels of this amount. In the context of the information provided by the DUH, it becomes clear that 10 out of 16 federal states have at least a very high risk degree. In Berlin, however, the risk is comparatively low; Only 0.8% of the urban area is affected, which corresponds to 150 addresses, such as rbb24 reports.

inadequate protective measures and claims

The federal manager of the DUH, Sascha Müller-Kraenner, criticizes the insufficient protective measures for the potentially affected citizens. With a flood of the century, the risks for many regions are high. Cities in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia have particularly high shares in risk areas, which is underpinned by static data regarding the affected residential addresses. In Bavaria, over 65,000 addresses are exposed to the flood risk, while North Rhine-Westphalia counts around 28,000 affected living addresses.

The DUH therefore increasingly demands measures in natural -based flood protection, such as the renaturation of flows and rivers. Improved use of the space for rivers and streams as well as the retention of water in intact ecosystems are crucial to reduce the risks in the future.

climate change as the driver of extreme weather events

climate change further exacerbates the situation in Germany by increasing the frequency and intensity of precipitation since the 1950s. Scientists find that in recent years in both Germany and worldwide, severe rains have led to increased flood events. An example of this are the devastating floods in the Spanish province of Valencia at the end of October 2024, which cost over 200 people the lives, as reported.

German politics reacts to the dangers and has a new law on flood protection. Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke plans to accelerate the construction of dams and dikes. However, the political situation could endanger the implementation of these measures before the upcoming new elections. The German Weather Service also warns of an increased frequency of extreme weather events that will pose new challenges.