After a storm disaster: family in Ettersberg urgently needs help!

After a storm disaster: family in Ettersberg urgently needs help!

On Sunday, June 1st, a violent storm hit parts of Thuringia, causing devastating damage, particularly in the Weimar region. Heavy rain turned streets into raging streams, and avalanches of mud and rubble rolled unstoppably into the country. The fire brigades were in constant operation to get the effects of the storm under control. The rural community of Am Ettersberg was severely affected, with one family relying on urgently needed help. This family needs to be supported in rebuilding their destroyed home after the storm. For this reason, Luise, a good friend, has started a call for donations on GoFundMe and is showing pictures of the damage on the platform.

The storm not only led to massive flooding in the yard, barn, basement and garden, but also resulted in high costs that the family will soon have to cover. Despite the active support of neighbors, friends and relatives who helped clean up the mud, the damage to many things remained significant. Luise appeals to the citizens who have previously always supported the affected family to show solidarity in this way.

Damage throughout the district

However, the effects of the storm were not only limited to Am Ettersberg. In Bad Berka, especially in the Tannroda district, there was a situation in which gravel piled up to half a meter high. Several roads had to be temporarily closed as flooded areas made it impossible to maintain traffic. The situation in Kranichfeld was also critical because a thunderstorm cell also caused damage. Large amounts of rain fell within a very short period of time, which overwhelmed the sewage system. Streets were up to 30 centimeters under water, and storm drains were blocked by the floating debris. Firefighters from several locations were deployed to repair the worst of the damage. There was even an accident on the A4 near Weimar, where three vehicles collided on the rain-soaked road, leaving one person slightly injured and the total damage amounting to around 50,000 euros. The highway had to be temporarily closed, which caused additional stress. The German Weather Service had already warned of severe thunderstorms on Sunday, so many people sat up and took precautions to protect themselves and their property.

Preparing for future storms

Over the years, the Flood News Center (HNZ) has repeatedly played an important role in providing information about flood forest conditions. It was set up in 2008 at the Thuringian State Institute for the Environment and Geology to combine the tasks of previous environmental offices. A crucial element here is the creation of hazard maps and risk maps that indicate the risk from flood events. These maps have direct legal effect and serve as preventative flood protection. Historical high water marks also remind us that the risk should never be underestimated. Weir stones exist in Thuringia to mark significant past floods such as those in June 1871 or May/June 2013. The current storm shows once again how important it is to raise flood awareness and take appropriate measures for the future.