30 years of Cologne floods: memories of the 1995 floods
12. Feb 2025
On 30 January 1995, the Rhine in Cologne reached a historic high of 10.69 metres and flooded the old town - just 13 months after the devastating floods of 1993. The masses of water had already broken through the mobile protective walls two days earlier. Places such as Kasselberg and Rodenkirchen were badly affected.
Around 4500 helpers, supported by 852 soldiers, worked around the clock to minimise the damage. According to flood defence manager Reinhard Vogt, the measures worked well despite the short warning time. The historic city centre was better protected and damage was less than in 1993.
After 1995, flood protection concepts were implemented that now protect the city up to a level of 11.30 metres. Nevertheless, Vogt warns that there is no such thing as absolute safety.
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