Dozens of people have died after severe flooding in Western Europe. Germany has been worst hit although there is also flooding in Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. Follow here for the latest news.
Our live coverage has ended for the day. Read more about the severe flooding here. At least 54 people have died due to severe flooding in Western Europe, caused by what experts described as the heaviest rainfall in a century. Up to 70 people are missing in Germany after flash floods swept across western and southern parts of the country, causing buildings to collapse, police said Thursday. Germany is worst hit with 49 people killed, while six people died in Belgium. Luxembourg and the Netherlands are also affected. The German regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland were worst affected, Friedrich added. Extreme rainfall totals were observed Wednesday into Thursday morning across much of western Germany and the Benelux region, with North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate seeing the highest rainfall totals, according to CNN Meteorologist Brandon Miller. Widespread swaths of these states saw 24-hour rainfall totals between 100-150 mm (3.9-5.9 inches), which represent more than a month’s worth of rainfall in this region. Cologne recorded 154 mm (6 inches) of rainfall in only 24 hours ending Thursday morning, which is nearly double its monthly average for July of 87 mm (3.45 inches). Locally heavier downpours resulted in extreme flash flooding. In Reifferscheid, an incredible 207 mm (8.1 inches) of rain fell in only nine hours, according to the European Severe Weather Database. Read more here. German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent her condolences to those affected by the flash floods that have swept through several states in her country. “It’s very close to my heart,” she said, adding that she has been in close contact with authorities in her home country despite being away on a visit to the United States. The German chancellor also guaranteed that her government would support all those affected by the floods.
