After the flood disaster
Reconstruction in the Ahr Valley: Federal President Steinmeier on a visit
Federal President Steinmeier is visiting the Ahr valley today, which was affected by the flood disaster. Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants to speak to those affected by the flood disaster today. After a tour of Ahrweiler, a meeting with winegrowers and volunteers is planned.
Around three months after the flood disaster, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is visiting the Ahr Valley today. According to the State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate, he wants to “get an up-to-date picture of the state of reconstruction” in talks with residents and helpers.
Steinmeier is accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate and Climate Protection Minister Anne Spiegel (Greens) and State Interior Minister Roger Lewentz (SPD).
Storms with unusually heavy rain triggered a flood disaster in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia in mid-July. Whole areas were destroyed by water masses. 183 people died. Most of the victims (133) were in the touristic Ahr valley in Rhineland-Palatinate, which is also known for the cultivation of red wine.
The first stop on the President’s visit today is the old town of Ahrweiler and the Ahrtor Bridge. The building erected in 1893, named after one of the four historic city gates of Ahrweiler, was destroyed by the raging floods of the Ahr.
At the same place, the Technische Hilfswerk (THW) has built a makeshift bridge for pedestrians and cars. Steinmeier wants to walk from the bridge across the market square to the Obertor.
A visit by the Federal President to the Mayschoss winegrowers’ cooperative is then planned. Steinmeier also wants to talk to winegrowers there. Finally, the head of state is expected at the helper camp in the county county.
On September 1, Steinmeier took part in the state ceremony for the victims of the flood disaster. At that time he said at the Nürburgring that it was not just about emergency aid for reconstruction. “You need our help and our attention not only now, in the acute emergency, but for a long time.”