The floods in Erftstadt-Blessem were particularly devastating. Now most of the residents are allowed to go back to their houses – and stand there speechless in front of what is left of their home.
Erftstadt – The upper part of the massive oak cabinet is intact – there are children’s photos behind the glass doors. “Thank God, at least the pictures of my grandchildren are still there,” says Susanne Dunkel.
The 70-year-old stands in her dining room in Erftstadt-Blessem (North Rhine-Westphalia): Except for the cupboard, the room is empty, the floor is slippery with mud. The furniture lies in front of the house as bulky garbage, dirty in brown. “I’ve lived here for 46 years – and now something like that. What’s going to happen now? ”Asks Dunkel, unable to suppress tears.
After several days, the residents of Blessem, which was particularly hard hit by the floods, were allowed to return to their homes. Immediately after the disaster, many people were there briefly to fetch their most important belongings – but then had to leave again because entry was prohibited. A landslide had carried away some buildings. Even now, a radius of 100 meters around the demolition edge is still a restricted area for safety reasons.
The ban on entering the rest of the village has been lifted since Thursday morning. For the first time, residents see their home again after the water has drained and left mud behind. Broken furniture piles up along the streets that have already been cleared.
Countless helpers lend a hand and clear what can no longer be saved from the houses – also with Britta Simonis. “A lot of friends are here to help – that’s really great,” she says. Most of what was in the basement, garage or guest house is no longer usable: motorcycles, scooters, fitness equipment. A friend gives her a brand new smartphone: “Here, for you. Just take it.”
No electricity and no water
At Susanne Dunkel, helpers are busy working on the mud-encrusted living room furniture. “Do you ever have a big knife?” Asks a woman in work clothes. “The sofa is tilted, we can’t get it out.” Dunkel swiftly pulls open a kitchen drawer – and jerks back: Brownish water sloshes towards her. The upper floor with the bedrooms is still intact. But the senior citizen does not want to stay there for the time being: “There is no electricity and no water.”
It will take days or even weeks until that works again, says the district administrator of the Rhein-Erft district, Frank Rock. Large transformers should be installed as soon as possible to supply the residents with electricity. The police and fire brigade held the position around the clock, Rock assured. There are mobile sirens to warn the population in the event of earth moving or other danger.
Susanne Dunkel’s gaze falls again on her oak cabinet, wanders from the photos of the grandchildren in the upper part down to the lower part: It is completely swollen and cracked. “That not even the oak could withstand it – I would never have thought that.” Dpa
