Heavy rain disaster: Helpers are fighting the flood damage in the region

Heavy rain disaster: Helpers are fighting the flood damage in the region

In June 2024, a catastrophic heavy rain event occurred in the Rems-Murr district, which severely affected the communities of Kaisersbach, Alfdorf and Welzheim. The rainfall caused serious damage that is still affecting the region. The municipalities of Rudersberg and Miedelsbach were particularly badly affected, where the flood had tragic consequences.

How BKZ reported that two residents aged 58 and 84 drowned in a flooded basement in Miedelsbach. The extreme weather conditions, which also led to flooding in other parts of the district, reminded many of the devastating Braunsbach disaster in 2016.

Emergency and evacuations

On Sunday evening, another heavy rain event in the Welzheim Forest led to a rapid rise in small streams and led to flooding, which was finally brought under control. Evacuations were ordered for the affected cities. In Winterbach, Weinstadt, Remshalden, and Waiblingen, between 5,000 and 10,000 people had to temporarily leave their homes. If there was initially a risk of a dam bursting, the weir was opened to release water and defuse the situation.

A total of over 110 emergency services were mobilized to carry out rescue operations and evacuations. In Winnenden, for example, the municipal building yard was flooded and a third of the vehicles could no longer be brought to safety. Despite the difficult circumstances, the flood retention basin in Cottenweiler offered effective protection and fulfilled its function.

Damage and help

The material damage caused by the recent heavy rain has not yet been fully recorded, but is likely to amount to several million euros. The communities of Welzheim, Kaisersbach, Berglen, Winnenden, Schorndorf, Leutenbach and Weissach im Tal are particularly affected. In Alfdorf, the repair of the bank at the Buchengehren sawmill is also on the list of urgent measures.

District Administrator Sigel announced quick help for the flood victims and set up a citizens' hotline to provide the affected citizens with the best possible support. The municipalities have already taken measures to repair the damage and to be better able to cope with future heavy rain events.

Flood protection in the Rems-Murr district is being put to the test by recent events in order to better control the risk of flooding in the future. The experiences of the past few days have had a deep impact on the residents and shown how important effective precautionary measures are.

After the emergency services were on standby for 48 hours at a time, the situation is under control, but the lengthy process of restoring the destroyed infrastructure and lives for the many victims is now beginning.

What will happen next in the region and what specific flood protection measures will be taken remains to be seen. In the meantime, communities are standing together to overcome the challenges and deal with the consequences of this natural disaster.

ZVW Urges that assistance be provided to the affected families as quickly as possible and calls for solidarity in order to alleviate the damage caused.