Cars have been bent in the face of trees, and remains of personal belongings are lying around. What used to be a house is now strewn across ruined streets.
An eight-meter wave washed down the Ahrdalen wine district, and the damage it left behind is enormous.
Privat drama
Dominik Gieler is a police officer and mayor of the village of Rech in the Ahrweiler region of western Germany. The flood has destroyed the village, and Gieler is responsible for the rescue work.
At the same time, he has to process his own traumas.
– My mother is still missing, he says to TV 2.
His mother’s house is among those destroyed by the flood.
– I have no high hopes that she will be found alive, he continues.
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ACCIDENT: A vehicle that has hit a tree appears after the water has receded. Photo: Johannes Morland / TV 2
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DAMAGES: Remains of a house and a tree in the village of Rech. Photo: Johannes Morland / TV 2
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FLOOD: Rescue crews have passed a car that hit a tree during the flood. Photo: TV 2
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MUD: Personal belongings are strewn after the flood. Here’s a camera. Photo: TV 2
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Come unexpectedly
In the municipality of Mayschoss, every fourth inhabitant lost his home, according to Focus. Mayor Hubertus Kunz shows off what was his home a little over a week ago. It is not possible to continue living here.
– I have lost my house and everything I own. The water was right up to the window on the second floor, he says.
– VIOLENT FORCES: An eight-meter wave tore most of it as it flooded through the Ahr Valley. Photo: Johannes Morland / TV 2
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Kunz has previously prepared a report entitled “Heavy rain and flood protection”, and they had prepared for floods with a height of 4.2 meters.
But no one had expected the huge amounts of water that occurred last week. The city was covered with water with a depth of nearly nine meters.
Large areas are still difficult to reach after the destruction. Work on rebuilding the flood-affected areas is underway, but the weather forecast continues to present challenges.
Gets criticism for handling
In the wake of the flood, several have criticized the German authorities’ warning systems. In Mayschoss, no alarm was sounded until several of the residents had to be evacuated from their roofs, according to Focus.
– A broken bridge in the village of Rech. Helicopters are now assisting in the rescue work. Photo: Johannes Morland / TV 2
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– With today’s knowledge, we should have evacuated, Mayor Kunz acknowledges.
He had checked the weather forecast frequently while it was getting worse, but still no alarm was sounded until it was too late.
– It did not go optimally, said one of the leaders in the rescue work.
Expect the death toll to rise
There are at least 205 dead in the area that was hit by a violent flood last week. Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands were hit by the storm.
On Friday, more than 158 people were still reported missing in Germany, and 176 have died, according to CNN. The authorities have also stated that they believe that the missing have died as a result of the flood.
– It is very likely that the victims can be found, but not rescued, said a spokesman for a voluntary organization that conducts rescue work.
– Incredibly great willingness to help
Mayor Guiler hopes that as many people as possible will take part in the work of rebuilding the city, and says that he is satisfied with the spirit of service to the local population.
– It is unbelievable how much people are willing to help here. They drive their tractors for eight hours to get here, and then work for 14 hours without stopping.
He also says that he finds time to mourn the loss of his own mother.
– When the evening comes, I get time to think.
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