Europe: floods July 2021

Introduction

Extreme rainfall occurred in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and neighbouring countries during the period 12 to 15 July 2021, leading to severe flooding particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany and along the river Meuse and some of its tributaries in Belgium and the Netherlands. The most affected areas are around the rivers Ahr and Erft as well as the Vesdre in the basin of the Meuse.

The flooding resulted in at least 184 fatalities in Germany and 38 in Belgium and considerable damage to infrastructure, including houses, roads, communication, motorways and railway lines as well as bridges. A variety of livelihoods were severely disrupted by the flood event, including local businesses in the affected regions and wine growers that make up the backbone of the Ahr Valley region.