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Impact of Storms on the North Sea Coast

Kerstin Schmidt, Elezabeth GrenierJanuary 14, 2015

Lower Saxony’s North Sea coast was hit by six storm surges within three days. The situation is returning to normal, but some damage was caused by flooding.

https://p.dw.com/p/1EKcV
Sturm am Nordseestrand vor St. Peter-Ording (Deutschland)
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/W. Runge

The gale-force winds brought on by storms "Elon" and "Felix" caused severe damage on the island of Helgoland. Wind and water swept across the airport. Although flight operations were resumed on Tuesday, the municipal administration fears the southern end of the runway might prove unstable in the long term.

On the island of Wangerooge, most of the beach in front of the hotels was washed away. A three-meter-high escarpment formed along the north side of the island.

The Lower Saxon State Department for Waterway, Coastal and Nature Conservation is now assessing the damage on the other East Frisian Islands to identify the course of action before the upcoming summer. The beaches should be replenished before the beginning of the holiday season.

ks/mj (ndr, nwz)