Heroic deeds in floods: District administrator honors brave helpers in Vechta!

Heroic deeds in floods: District administrator honors brave helpers in Vechta!

On December 2, 2025, a moving ceremony took place at which District Administrator Tobias Gerdesmeyer in Vechta awarded ten outstanding volunteer and full-time helpers with the Flood Medal of the State of Lower Saxony. The volunteers owe this award to their tireless efforts during the “Christmas floods” of 2023/2024, when the country was faced with historic levels of rainfall and associated flooding. While most people spent the holidays in the warmth, these helpers were there in an emergency and ensured the safety of citizens.

In the Vechta district, up to 800 helpers were active during this disaster; They closed roads, built dams and pumped out basements to prevent even worse damage. In his speech, Gerdesmeyer praised the Technical Operations Management (TEL) and the Fire Department Technical Center (FTZ), whose logistics coordinated the distribution of sandbags. Despite the massive challenges, Vechta was able to get off relatively lightly compared to other regions in Lower Saxony and offered support to the particularly affected neighboring districts, such as Cloppenburg.

The extent of the Christmas flood

The Christmas flood of 2023/2024 is one of the worst natural disasters in Lower Saxony. Over 140,000 helpers were deployed throughout the state to protect the population and minimize damage. The state government quickly made over 100 million euros available for emergency aid and protective measures. Historical rainfall amounts of an average of 155 liters per square meter in December 2023 hit Lower Saxony, with over 385 liters even being measured in Braunlage. Ultimately, the damage exceeded the 100 million euro mark and affected public infrastructure as well as private households and agricultural businesses.

Comprehensive measures are being planned to mitigate the effects of such disasters in the future. Masked dike reinforcements, the construction of flood retention basins and the purchase of mobile dike systems are on the state government's agenda. In addition, over 43 million euros will be made available for more than 100 flood protection projects in 2024 to increase safety in the affected areas.

Measures to improve flood protection

Given the challenges posed by climate change and the global increase in flood events, it is crucial that Lower Saxony prepares for such situations in the long term. Statistics show that floods are the most common natural disasters worldwide and in Germany 7.6 percent of addresses are already exposed to a statistical flood risk. In recent decades, the risk of flooding has also increased in Lower Saxony, with natural retention options being significantly restricted by development and river straightening.

According to data, around 400,000 residents in Germany are at risk of flooding, especially along the Rhine and its tributaries. In order to minimize future damage, flood protection must be consistently expanded and natural retention areas restored. The government plans to increase investments in flood protection to 254 million euros by 2048, relying on measures to renaturate rivers.

Overall, the award given to the helpers not only shows gratitude, but also the importance of social cohesion in times of crisis. Only through the cooperation of volunteers, authorities and the state can the challenges of future flood events be successfully met.

For further information on the flood events in Lower Saxony, you can download the reports at Vechta.de and Niedersachsen.de as well as an overview of other flood events Statista receive.