A year after the flood: commemorate in Haubersbronn and permanent worries

A year after the flood: commemorate in Haubersbronn and permanent worries

Haubersbronn, Deutschland - A year after the devastating flood disaster in Haubersbronn, a moving commemoration event took place on June 3, 2025. In the festival hall, Mayor Bernd Hornikel recalled the dramatic events that shook the Wieslauf valley. On this occasion, a flood mark was attached to the building, which documents the devastating effects of heavy rain.

Despite the event dedicated to the victims, the nervousness of the residents remained noticeable during the event. Many people in the Wieslauf valley are also concerned about impending rain a year after the tragic events, which awakens the memories of the flood.

The flood of 2024: An unexpected disaster

The flood, which took its exit on June 2, 2024 in Schorndorf, Baden-Württemberg, was caused by constant rain in southern Germany. The German Weather Service (DWD) had already spent the highest warning levels for the eastern government district Stuttgart and Tübingen in advance. The population initially felt safe on Sunday evening, and the water level of the Tannbach, which normally normally reached at around 10 p.m.

residents reported on a shocking increase in water, which flooded garages and ground floors. Tragically, two people, 58 and 84 years old, lost their life in a empty basement when they were busy pumping water. The local emergency services were put into trouble during the rescue attempts and partly had to save themselves on vehicle roofs. The town center was heavily devastated and heavy cars were pushed on one.

flood as a global challenge

according to Statista floods are the most common natural disasters worldwide. Since 2000 they have caused almost 37 percent of all natural disasters. Global climate change significantly contributes to an increase in rainfall and more common heavy rain events. In Germany, about 7.6 percent of all addresses are exposed to a statistical flood risk, while around 400,000 inhabitants: inside the Rhine and its tributaries are threatened in the coming years.

The destruction and development of natural flood areas as well as the increasing sealing of soils increase the likelihood of floods. In total, more than two thirds of the original fluid makers have been lost in Germany. These trends already led to considerable damage during the flood disaster in July 2021, which exceeded all previous events and led to a political debate about the necessary flood protection.