During his visit to the flood regions in Lower Saxony, Chancellor Scholz thanked the numerous helpers for their efforts. The flood situation remains tense in some places, but the authorities do not expect it to worsen.
During his visit to the flood areas in Lower Saxony, Chancellor Olaf Scholz thanked the helpers for their efforts. They sacrificed their time and put themselves in danger to help, said Scholz. He thanks them for that. Scholz said it was “important that we stick together in the country.” He believes the helpers’ efforts show “that there is solidarity in our country and the willingness to stick together.” Scholz assured that the federal government would also support the affected states and municipalities “with its options” in dealing with the situation.
The Chancellor began his visit to the flood regions with a helicopter flight. He then landed in the particularly affected town of Verden an der Aller to exchange ideas with citizens affected by the flood as well as relief workers from the fire department and the Technical Relief Agency (THW). Scholz was accompanied by Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil and State Interior Minister Daniela Behrens.
Flood peak is reached
The situation remains tense in some flood areas in Lower Saxony. According to the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation (NLWKN), the flood peak, i.e. the highest water level during a flood, has been reached for the time being. However, there is no talk of relaxation yet. The highest reporting level was still exceeded at numerous gauges – especially at Aller, Leine, Oker and Mittelweser. The water also damaged several dikes, but there was no dike breach.
According to authorities, the situation is not expected to worsen. The German Weather Service (DWD) said there will be a short break in the rain at the turn of the year with only local showers. According to NLKWN, the precipitation is not relevant to floods.
However, Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Weil referred to the continued tense situation. “We see that in the northern parts of Lower Saxony the pressure of the water masses is still extremely high,” he said in Verden. We are glad that the security systems have held up so far. “But we know very well that the longer the pressure of the water on the dykes, the greater the risk that these dams could then break.”
Probably more rain again from Tuesday
There shouldn’t be too much rain in Lower Saxony on Monday. More rainfall is only expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. Up to 30 liters of rain could fall in the Harz, said a DWD meteorologist. “We’re getting into severe weather-like and critical areas again.” If predictions are confirmed, there will be another increase locally, said the NLWKN.
In order to save the emergency services extra work, several cities in Lower Saxony recommended avoiding fireworks and firecrackers on New Year’s Eve. In some communities such as Lilienthal in the Osterholz district and in Bremen, firecracker bans would also be issued.
The situation in Mansfeld-Südharz remains critical
In addition to Lower Saxony, the south of Saxony-Anhalt on the border with Thuringia and areas in North Rhine-Westphalia are also affected by floods. In the Mansfeld-Südharz district in Saxony-Anhalt, the situation on the Helme River remained critical. In North Rhine-Westphalia, however, there was a slight relaxation.