- Further clean-up work after storms in northern Hesse
Following the severe storm with heavy rain and flooding in the region north of Kassel, cleanup efforts have continued. In the most affected village of Trendelburg, Gottsbüren, 150 firefighters and three emergency services are still at work, removing water and mud, a spokesperson for the district said. "This will still take some time."
Cars pushed through the village by floodwaters
In other affected communities, the work is largely completed, but residents are busy with cleanup efforts, the spokesperson said. Apart from Trendelburg, heavy rain also caused damage in Hofgeismar, Bad Karlshafen, Reinhardshagen, and Wesertal. In Gottsbüren, floodwaters pushed cars through the village like toys during the night from Thursday to Friday. One person was buried and several people trapped in cars had to be rescued. A firefighter was lightly injured in the operation. No other injuries were reported, the district spokesperson said.
Damage expected to be in the millions
An initial damage assessment can likely be made at the beginning of the week. However, the spokesperson said it will certainly be in the millions of euros. Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) plans to visit the northern district of Kassel on Monday to get a firsthand look at the situation. Meetings with politicians and residents of the affected communities are scheduled.
According to the Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG), more than 90 liters per square meter of rainfall were measured at the Hofgeismar-Beberbeck station during the storm. Locally, it could have been more than 150 liters per square meter.
Other communities in the region are making progress with their cleanup, but the situation in Gottsbüren remains challenging. Despite the efforts of 150 firefighters and emergency services, the removal of water and mud is taking longer than expected in this particular other area.
