The Two Most Devastating Floods in Saint Petersburg's History

1824 and 1924: A Tale of Two Disasters

In the fall of 2024, Saint Petersburg will mark the 100th anniversary of one of the most devastating floods in its history. Coincidentally, 2024 will also mark the 200th anniversary of another catastrophic flood that ravaged the city.

The Great Flood of 1824

The Great Flood of 1824 occurred on November 7th, 1824. A strong storm surge from the Gulf of Finland pushed water into the Neva River, causing it to overflow its banks and flood the city.

The floodwaters reached a height of 4.21 meters (13.8 feet) above sea level, the highest ever recorded in the city's history.

The flood caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. It also resulted in the deaths of an estimated 200 people.

The Flood of 1924

The Flood of 1924 occurred on September 23rd, 1924. It was caused by a combination of factors, including a storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall.

The floodwaters reached a height of 3.80 meters (12.5 feet) above sea level, the second-highest ever recorded in the city's history.

The flood caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. It also resulted in the deaths of an estimated 14 people.

Comparison of the Two Floods

The Great Flood of 1824 and the Flood of 1924 were both devastating events for Saint Petersburg. However, there were some key differences between the two floods.

• Height of the floodwaters: The floodwaters in 1824 reached a height of 4.21 meters (13.8 feet) above sea level, while in 1924 they reached a height of 3.80 meters (12.5 feet) above sea level.
• Number of deaths: The Great Flood of 1824 resulted in an estimated 200 deaths, while the Flood of 1924 resulted in an estimated 14 deaths.
• Causes: The Great Flood of 1824 was caused by a storm surge from the Gulf of Finland, while the Flood of 1924 was caused by a combination of a storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall.

Conclusion

The Great Flood of 1824 and the Flood of 1924 were two of the most devastating floods in Saint Petersburg's history. These events caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, as well as loss of life.

Today, the city of Saint Petersburg has implemented a number of flood control measures to reduce the risk of future flooding.

These measures include building a system of dams and dikes, as well as raising the level of the city's embankments.

As a result of these measures, Saint Petersburg is now better prepared to withstand flooding than ever before.