Status: 07/24/2021 11:49 a.m.
In the regions affected by the flood, there could be more rain today. Meteorologists say violent thunderstorms are possible. The local crisis teams are trying to prepare. Helpers are asked not to arrive any more.
After the devastating floods, people in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia are concerned about the weather forecasts. There could be rain and thunderstorms again. Not as strong as last week, say the meteorologists. But due to the existing damage in the affected areas, even comparatively small amounts of rain could be dangerous.
“At the moment I have no indications that there is a risk of water volumes as was the case,” said the interior minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, Roger Lewentz (SPD), in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. Nevertheless, the crisis team is taking precautions. According to Lewentz, opportunities for the population to retreat are prepared as well as possible loudspeaker announcements for warnings. You watch the reporting situation very, very carefully, “he added.
Ute Spangenberger, SWR, on the weather situation and clean-up work in Rhineland-Palatinate
tagesschau24 11:00 a.m., July 24th, 2021
Residents of the Ahr area were informed
North Rhine-Westphalia is also preparing for possible new heavy rainfalls. According to a ministry spokesman for the news agency dpa, the control centers of the fire brigade and police would be sensitized again to the weather situation by decree of the NRW interior ministry. “The work in the crisis teams in the cities and districts will continue over the weekend to coordinate the situation on site. The same applies to the coordination group of the crisis team in the Ministry of the Interior.”
According to a current risk assessment for the Ahr area in North Rhine-Westphalia by the disaster control, there is currently no acute risk of flooding for the Ahr. Nevertheless, increased surface water is to be expected when it rains, especially in places where parts of the sewer system have been destroyed or blocked. This could cause the cellar to fill up again.
Should the situation worsen, the local civil protection department provided emergency accommodation for all residents. “The population is being warned again on social media and leaflets are being distributed,” a spokesman said in the morning.
Sarah Schmidt, WDR, on the preparations for renewed rainfall in Erftstadt
tagesschau24 11:00 a.m., July 24th, 2021
“Completely different weather conditions”
The announced storm front is currently moving north across southwest Germany. According to data from ARD betting expert Stephan Laps is to be expected locally with strong thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon and evening in the entire west and southwest. Between 20 and 30 liters of rain per square meter could fall, sometimes up to 50 liters.
But you are dealing with “a completely different weather situation than last week,” said Laps. At that time it rained heavily for hours and over a large area – down to 250 liters per square meter. The current thunderstorms are very local, according to the weather expert, and it can hardly be predicted where exactly they will occur. He advised people in the affected areas Watching rain radarto be careful and on Severe weather warnings from the German Weather Service to pay attention.
Stefan Laps, HR, on the approaching storm front with the risk of storms
Tagesschau24 10:00 a.m., July 24th, 2021
Heavy damage from small amounts of rain
After a WDR report Even small amounts of rain can currently cause severe damage. According to geoscientists at TU Darmstadt, 20 to 25 liters per square meter are now sufficient to make many soils on steep slopes unstable. Depending on the nature of the soil, there is then a risk of landslides. Due to the rain in the last few weeks, the floors are in motion in many places. Layers of earth lying on rocky ground can slide due to the persistent rain. Trees could easily buckle.
Police warn helpers in the disaster areas
The Koblenz police headquarters and the crisis team appeal to helpers not to make their way to the disaster area in Rhineland-Palatinate. “The willingness to help from the population is still overwhelming and unbroken. Due to the large number of helpers who have set out in the disaster area to help, there is currently a complete overload of all access roads to the Ahr valley, as well as the roads in the disaster area himself, “said a press release.
So far, the flood disaster in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate has claimed 179 lives. Entire towns were destroyed. Some areas are still without electricity and drinking water.