Overview

• The October 2023 storm surge caused extensive damage along the Baltic Sea coast, including severe destruction to the Schönhagen deich.
• Approximately 100 residents of Schönhagen were evacuated during the storm, which left widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and coastal defenses.
• The reconstruction project, costing around three million euros and funded by the state, involves a 700-meter section of the deich reinforced with 20,000 tons of stone.
• Local schoolchildren are being educated about the importance of coastal protection, with officials emphasizing their future role in adapting defenses to climate change.
• Two-thirds of the deich is complete, with the remaining work expected to finish by Easter, restoring the coastal barrier while maintaining the natural appearance of the beach.