Ignorance in flood areas
Careless residents and onlookers disrupt emergency services
December 31, 2023, 8:00 p.m
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During a visit to the flood areas in Lower Saxony, Chancellor Scholz praised the solidarity of the people. But that doesn’t apply to everyone: emergency services have to rescue disaster tourists from the floods as well as careless residents. Protective measures are broken.
In the flood areas of Lower Saxony, there are increasing complaints about onlookers and careless and ignorant residents who disrupt the work of the emergency services. “Many people travel specifically to see the masses of water. They ignore the barriers,” complained Lower Saxony’s Interior Minister Daniela Behrens angrily about disaster tourists. There have already been several cases in which the fire department had to rescue onlookers.
For example, there was an operation in the flood area near Hemmingen in the Hanover region. According to the fire department, a man well over 70 years old had driven around a wall made of sandbags and then fell into high water. Because of the strong current, he was unable to free himself from the water and had to be rescued by the fire department. Rescue divers were also requested, but did not have to intervene. After the rescue, the 70-year-old was taken to hospital accompanied by an emergency doctor.
Driver destroys water barrier
An unnecessary incident also occurred in Celle: According to the city, a driver intentionally drove into a street that was closed due to flooding and damaged a mobile water barrier in the process. As the city announced, the driver ran over a special hose to contain the amount of water. The hose was so badly damaged that it had to be replaced immediately by emergency services.
A city spokeswoman said the incident would have consequences for the driver. The city administration will take appropriate measures next week. “Right now we’re operating in flood crisis mode,” she said. The city once again appealed to take all closures seriously. “With arbitrary behavior you not only endanger yourself, but also others and also hinder the emergency services, who currently have their hands full protecting people and our city,” said Mayor Jörg Nigge.
Evacuation in Oldenburg
The flood situation is still acute in large parts of Lower Saxony. In Oldenburg, around 600 more people have to prepare for an evacuation. The city announced in the afternoon that the dikes in the Sandkruger Strasse area were under heavy strain and that a dike breach could not be ruled out at this point. If this happens, the fire department will announce the evacuation with loudspeaker announcements. Those affected should only take the bare essentials and important documents with them. Rooms in a high school are provided as transitional accommodation.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously visited the flood areas in Lower Saxony and praised the solidarity of the people. “The weather and nature challenge us,” said the SPD politician in Verden in the afternoon. “That’s why it’s important that we stick together in the country. This is happening everywhere through the responsible organizations, the police, the fire brigade, the technical relief agency, and the Bundeswehr has also provided its support.” Many volunteers are also doing everything they can to minimize the consequences and protect people and houses.
“I see that the willingness goes far beyond those who are now working professionally or voluntarily in the aid organizations. Local citizens are also helping in a concrete way and asking what they can do,” said Scholz. “That’s important. I think it shows that there is solidarity in our country and the willingness to stick together.” Scholz assured that the federal government would also support the affected states and municipalities “with its options” in dealing with the situation.