Flood in throats: A year after the disaster - repairs are running!

Flood in throats: A year after the disaster - repairs are running!

In early summer 2024, the Lake Constance area, especially the municipality of Meckenbeuren, experienced devastating flood events. The water levels rose at the beginning of June, with the district of Kehlen most affected. The damage in throats amounts to around 2.2 million euros and affect several public buildings, including the Wilhelm Schussen School, the Karl-Brugger-Halle and the village community center. The situation in the Wilhelm Schussen School was particularly serious, the basement of which was under water and whose school toilets were significantly damaged. A toilet container has been set up in the school yard since then. The renovation work on the toilets was only completed in May 2025. The heating of the school, which was also severely affected, was made functional again in autumn 2024, so that school operations were no longer at risk. [SWR] reports that the municipality is working intensively on flood protection measures to avoid such damage in the future.

In order to improve flood protection, the construction of a flood protection wall and the possible relocation of the school are planned. However, experts point out that the old building substance cannot be fully sealed. In view of the increase in extreme weather, which are favored by climate change, such measures are urgently necessary. The municipality is investing in both parties and mobile flood protection solutions, and the changes to the pumping system with the installation of vacuum pumps in the Karl Brugger Hall are also part of this strategy.

damage and inserts in the case of disaster

The effects of the flood in throats are comparable to the rain and meltwater quantities 50 years ago. At 4.49 meters, the level maximum reached almost the maximum of 4.53 meters from the past. This shows how serious the situation was. Rescue workers were in constant use, and around 80 missions with almost 150 emergency services had to be mastered until Sunday morning after the first flood event on January 29, 2024. A total of around 2,000 working hours came together, supported by heavy equipment and more than 8,500 sandbags. Numerous missions were also required in neighboring districts such as Brochenzell to combat the water masses. [Wochenblatt] emphasizes that flood protection remains a central topic for the region.

climate change and flood risks

flood events are not just a local problem, but the most common natural disasters worldwide. According to [Statista], floods have caused almost 37 percent of all natural disasters since 2000. The consequences of climate change, such as increased rainfall and more common heavy rain events, make such events more likely. In Germany, about 7.6 percent of all addresses are exposed to statistical flood risk. The loss of natural flood areas by building and the straightening of rivers also tighten the situation. The flood protection and the consideration of natural retention rooms are therefore emphasized as essential measures to minimize future damage.

In May 2025, the last residents returned to repaired apartments in Kehlen. However, the reconstruction and flood protection measures are still ongoing, while the community is preparing for the challenges that climate change brings.