Devastating 1976 Storm Surge Claims Lives in Hamburg
Capella Orkan: Die Zweite Januarflut
Unprecedented Surge Breaches Hamburg Defenses
On the night of January 20th, 1976, a severe storm tide, the "Zweite Januarflut," inundated the German and Danish North Sea coasts. The city of Hamburg faced the worst of the onslaught, with water levels reaching unprecedented heights.
The storm, driven by a severe low-pressure system, brought heavy winds and a storm surge that wreaked havoc along the coastline. In Hamburg, the surge pushed a wall of water up the Elbe River, catching the city completely off guard.
The devastating consequences included the tragic loss of 300 lives, while tens of thousands of residents were left homeless. The disaster highlighted the need for improved flood protection measures and remains a sobering reminder of the destructive potential of nature.
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