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Start of construction for flood protection: Gera better protects itself from floods!
Flood protection start in Gera: 5-year construction work on the White Elster begins with a investment of a flood security with 20 million euros.
Start of construction for flood protection: Gera better protects itself from floods!
In Gera, the expansion of flood protection on the White Elster began on July 2, 2025. The work focuses on the section between the districts of Zwötzen and Liebschwitz. The measure has a financial expenditure of around 20 million euros and is created for a construction period of five years. Among other things, new dikes, flood protection systems and the creation of retention areas are planned to better prepare the city and the surrounding area for flooding. Environmental state secretary Karin Arndt underlines the urgency of these projects, which is initiated in response to the devastating century flood from 2013.
The floods left serious damage of over 450 million euros more than a decade ago in Thuringia. The repeated construction of flood protection systems is not only a structural necessity, but also an answer to the rising dangers that bring climate changes and extreme weather situations. The forward -looking handling of floods is particularly important on the white magpie, an area that is considered a risk of flood. Since 2016, the Free State of Thuringia has invested around 280 million euros in flood protection, including around 60 million euros on the White Elster, such as Umwelt.thueringen.de.
construction and dismantling of systems
For the implementation of the construction work, parts of allotment gardens, commercial space and sports facilities must be dismantled. This is necessary to create space for the new flood protection measures. The extensive planning in Gera not only includes the current expansion, but also further flood protection measures in the entire city area with a total volume of around 75 million euros, which are to be realized in the coming years.
Mayor Julian Vonarb, who, together with Environment Minister Bernhard Stengele, accompanied the progress in flood protection, found that improvements have already been realized. This includes, for example, new protective walls and the establishment of a water defense. This has the task of carrying out dike and bridge controls as well as to guide volunteers.
goals and future measures
The Zwötzner weir was also visited in the bicycle tour for the new flood protection projects, where significant protective measures were implemented. Stengele confirms the necessity of these projects, especially against the background of the past flood, and emphasizes the ongoing investments in flood protection. By 2027, a total of over 900 measures with around 400 million euros are to be implemented as part of the Thuringian state program, with flood areas of around 1,600 hectares to be created at around 600 km of water. These measures are crucial to offer around 80,000 people additional protection and thus better prepare the municipalities of Thuringia for future challenges.The ongoing work show that flood protection in Thuringia plays a central role, especially in Gera, where the memory of the 2013's flood of the century is constantly present. The new measures are a step in the right direction to ensure the security of the citizens.