With 300 inhabitants and a total area of 0.45 squared kilometers, Arnis is a town that one never knows about until they spend time there. It’s the smallest town in size and population in Germany, located along the River Schlei, approximately 4 km south of Kappeln on the peninsula surrounded by the river. And while the town only has two streets lined up with houses, restaurants and other small businesses, the town is a port for yachts and sailboats; it is the main location where they are maintained and in some cases restored. The town’s economy is based on tourism and shipping. Because of its history and heritage (which you can read more about here), people come away from the small town with an impression that it’s a small community with a big heart, let alone a heritage that belongs to the history books on Schleswig-Holstein.
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One can have a look at Arnis through a pair of videos, one looks at an ariel view of Arnis, the other is a small tour guide of the town, giving tourist a preview of what they would see when visiting Arnis:
Despite this, Arnis was also one of the hardest hit areas of the Sturmflut that happened on October 20/21, 2023. Floodwaters from the Baltic Sea caused breaches to the dikes, with the end result being the streets being underwater and homes and businesses being flooded. At the same time, the damages to the boats and yachts were enoumous, with some even sinking to the bottom. Already damages are expected to be in well into the millions of Euros. After the storm, the clean-up is underway with repairs to the dike being made according to the video below:
Nevertheless, Arnis is one of many that is rebuilding after the storm to make it better and more attractive for the tourists in the future. It may take a very long time before it returns to its pre-flood normalcy, but efforts are being taken and the town will rise again, like in the other areas affected by the storm.
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There are several fundraising and rebuilding programs that are ongoing for Arnis and the surrounding region along the Baltic Sea. There is a separate fundraising drive for the town, which you can click on the link here:
Fundraising for Arnis: https://www.betterplace.org/de/projects/128648-hilfe-fuer-arnis
Furthermore, a video which shows the region before, during and after the Sturmflut (including the areas in and around Arnis) can be found in detail here:
Link: Jahrhunderthochwasser 2023- a film by Birger Herzog
Fundraising efforts and projects to rebuild are ongoing for even this region. If you are interested in helping, click on the links below:
Helping Residents Affected by the Storm: Sturmflut: Donation Drives for Flensburg Fjord, Holnis and Kappeln
Go Fund Me has a series of fundraising drives underway as well. Much of them originate from another area hit by the storm, Schleswig and along the Schlei. A link is enclosed for you to click on to help:
Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/de-de/c/act/sturmflut-an-der-ostsee-wie-du-helfen-kannst#/
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We’re right behind you and will make sure you rebuild better and stronger. Together, we are Schleswig Holstein. ❤
THE FLENSBURG FILES 