Storm - Twelve million euros in flood aid paid to private individuals
One month after the devastating flood in the south, thousands of applications for state aid have been submitted in Bavaria, and several million euros in financial aid have been paid out. Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU) reported that more than twelve million euros have been paid to those affected so far. His ministry is responsible for providing emergency aid to citizens whose household goods were destroyed by the floods. To date, around 8,200 emergency aid applications have been received from private households throughout Bavaria, according to the Finance Ministry.
The state government initially made 100 million euros available after the flood disaster and later doubled the relief package to 200 million euros within a few days. Private individuals can receive up to 5,000 euros in emergency aid, and up to 10,000 euros for oil damage to residential buildings. In many basements, flooded heating oil tanks had leaked. Contaminated water then also affected neighboring buildings that did not even have an oil heating system. The fire departments and the Technical Relief Organization pumped and cleaned oil water from numerous houses.
The agricultural sector is still assessing the damages
Additional aid programs exist in Bavaria for companies whose buildings were flooded, as well as for farmers affected by the flood. The Agriculture Ministry in Munich reports that no specific applications have been received from farmers yet. The damage assessors are still visiting the farms. Farmers can apply for emergency aid if the damage is at least 5,000 euros, and up to 50,000 euros per farm will be paid out.
According to the Economic Ministry, applications from companies and self-employed individuals have meanwhile been received in 58 cases, amounting to approximately six million euros. However, these payments have not been made yet.
German insurers initially estimated damages of at least two billion euros in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. However, significantly less property damage occurred than during the Ahr Valley flood in 2021, when, according to the Association of German Insurers, insured damages amounted to nine billion euros. The insurance balance does not reflect the total damage, as additional uninsured damages always occur during natural disasters. The flood in South Germany triggered another debate on a compulsory insurance against flood damage, but a political agreement on such a natural disaster insurance has not been reached yet.
Firefighter still missing
Four weeks after the flood, many flood victims are still busy repairing the damages. At the end of May and the beginning of June, unusually long and heavy rainfall caused the rivers to swell significantly. The district of Günzburg declared a disaster area in Bavaria first, followed by several other districts in the following days. The floodwater flowed slowly from the west of the state towards Passau along the Danube.
At least four people died in the flood in Bavaria. Additionally, a 22-year-old firefighter, according to police reports, is still missing after about a month. The young man was in the Swabian Offingen area with other helpers at night in a boat. The boat, which was manned by five emergency response vehicles, capsized due to the strong current. Four people managed to get to shore and remained unharmed. Searches for the 22-year-old were carried out again and again using drones and helicopters, but without success.
Flood Relief Free State Bavaria
The devastating floods in Bavaria have led to thousands of applications for state aid from affected individuals, with the THW providing immediate help. finance minister Albert Füracker announced that over twelve million euros have been issued as aid so far. The BMF is responsible for handling emergency aid for damaged household goods.
Bavaria initially allocated a 100 million euro relief package for disaster victims, later increasing it to 200 million euros. This includes up to 5,000 euros in emergency aid for private households and up to 10,000 euros for oil damage to residential buildings.
Additional aid programs exist for businesses and farmers who suffered losses. Currently, no specific applications have been received from farmers, while 58 company applications totaling around six million euros have been submitted to the Economic Ministry.
During the floods, many basements had flooded heating oil tanks, contaminating water and affecting neighboring buildings. The THW and FRW worked tirelessly to pump and clean oil water from numerous houses.
Four individuals lost their lives in the floods, and amidst ongoing repair efforts, a 22-year-old firefighter remains missing after capsizing during rescue operations in Swabian Offingen.
The Flood Relief Free State Bavaria has provided immediate aid, but the long-term impacts and additional uninsured damages are still being assessed.
