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Why were there so many dead in the flood, despite warnings? Warning systems expert: Government has to explain itself

2021-07-21T08:05:18.478Z


The British hydrologist Hannah Cloke informed the flood control centers of the federal states about the flood in West Germany four days before the catastrophe via the European Efas early warning system. Her colleague Jeff Da Costa from the University of Reading in England does research on climate disasters and warning systems. In an interview, the hydrometeorologist explains what went wrong in Ger


The British hydrologist Hannah Cloke informed the flood control centers of the federal states about the flood in West Germany four days before the catastrophe via the European Efas early warning system.

Her colleague Jeff Da Costa from the University of Reading in England does research on climate disasters and warning systems.

In an interview, the hydrometeorologist explains what went wrong in Germany.

Mr Da Costa, German authorities are heavily criticized for who is to blame for ignoring flood warnings.


It is disappointing that the focus of the debate is on the question of guilt.

That doesn't get us any further as a society.

We should have productive discussions now.


Who would be?


One would have to talk about why Germany and the Benelux countries were not better prepared.

Why wasn't there a precise plan?

If Efas and the German Weather Service issue warnings that human lives are in danger, then these warnings will get through somewhere - something like that is not lost.

Nevertheless, the citizens were not reached.

For all the people who have lost their families, I would have liked to have spoken now about how something like this can never happen again.


Don't you have to know who is responsible for this?


Who would take personal responsibility for the deaths of so many people?

The blame is only pushed on.

Either on climate change, or further and further down to the level of the municipalities - because they are officially responsible for local flood protection.

But you can't let a mayor of a municipality or a city decide what to do in the event of such a disaster.

After all, you can circle the flood with a pen on a map of Europe.

And the people are not just citizens of a village, but of a country.


What has to happen now?


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Hydrometeorologist Jeff Da Costa

© Marc Blasius

The government has to admit that something went wrong.

Explain what went wrong.

To prevent - that must now be the first priority.

How do we issue a warning in the future?

How many steps does it have to seep down the information chain so that every citizen is reached without exception?

If a tornado came next week, we'd be back here without knowing how to get citizens to safety in time.


What do you think went wrong?


There is a huge gap in communication in the crisis management of Germany.

Nobody knows who decided what.

The processes are not transparent.

And that's a scandal.

That people in Western Europe die in a flood - that shouldn't have happened.

People only had to prepare minimally to prevent that from happening.

They should have been told what to expect, to stay away from electronics, not to walk or drive through the flood.

That they bring their valuables to a safe place beforehand.

In a panic, people don't think rationally enough to pay attention to these things.

And you don't communicate something like that via the media, because they are not a warning system.

You have to work out a concept.


Who should do that?


In a perfect world, something like this would be coordinated across Europe. Responsibilities must be clearly defined. No politician can take a stand now. And you have to honestly ask yourself: How guilty can someone be who doesn't know better? In my opinion, however, someone who doesn't know any better shouldn't make decisions about people's safety either.


Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-07-21

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