TheXanthia
Belgium is mourning
The past couple of days there have been catastrophic floods in Wallonia, the southern part of Belgium, and to a lesser degree in the east of the Belgium. The Netherlands, Luxembourg and particularly Germany were also badly affected.
I live in the north, I am safe, but my heart goes out to the people in Wallonia and beyond, to the family and friends of those who lost their life, my gratitude to the many rescue workers who are still at work in what looks like a war zone.
We normally get 70 liters of rain per square meter per month, or about 840 liters per year.
Earlier this week, Wallonia had 271 liters of rain per square meter in just three days.
The result was catastrophic, with water in the streets rising 2m, people fleeing to the first floor, then to the roofs. The current of the water was so strong that it took everything with it - cars, lorries, walls of houses that collapsed as a result.
The European Union activated the Civil Protection Mechanism, as a result of which several member states came to the rescue, funded by a joint EU fund, in the spirit of solidariry that connects us all in the EU. Italy, France and Austria deployed pilots, rescue teams, firemen as well as boats and helicopters. They and other countries are also helping out Germany.
Teams from the Netherlands also came to help.
Belgium is split in two halves that normally have little contact with each other, the Flanders in the north and Wallonia in the south, divided by a language border, but over the past hours spontaneous initiatives have been set up all over the Flanders to help the people in Wallonia. As there are so many, it was decided that the Red Cross will now coordinate everything.
Next week on 20 July is a Day of National Mourning.
Belgium is mourning
The past couple of days there have been catastrophic floods in Wallonia, the southern part of Belgium, and to a lesser degree in the east of the Belgium. The Netherlands, Luxembourg and particularly Germany were also badly affected.
I live in the north, I am safe, but my heart goes out to the people in Wallonia and beyond, to the family and friends of those who lost their life, my gratitude to the many rescue workers who are still at work in what looks like a war zone.
We normally get 70 liters of rain per square meter per month, or about 840 liters per year.
Earlier this week, Wallonia had 271 liters of rain per square meter in just three days.
The result was catastrophic, with water in the streets rising 2m, people fleeing to the first floor, then to the roofs. The current of the water was so strong that it took everything with it - cars, lorries, walls of houses that collapsed as a result.
The European Union activated the Civil Protection Mechanism, as a result of which several member states came to the rescue, funded by a joint EU fund, in the spirit of solidariry that connects us all in the EU. Italy, France and Austria deployed pilots, rescue teams, firemen as well as boats and helicopters. They and other countries are also helping out Germany.
Teams from the Netherlands also came to help.
Belgium is split in two halves that normally have little contact with each other, the Flanders in the north and Wallonia in the south, divided by a language border, but over the past hours spontaneous initiatives have been set up all over the Flanders to help the people in Wallonia. As there are so many, it was decided that the Red Cross will now coordinate everything.
Next week on 20 July is a Day of National Mourning.