Status: 24.12.2023, 18:00 PM
By: Andreas Steppan
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Many houses in Benediktbeuern were – and still are – marked by hail. © archive
For many victims in Benediktbeuern, Christmas is still under the impression of the hailstorm. Some things are different this year than usual.
Benediktbeuern – Christmas is a celebration of joy, peace and reflection. For many people in the district, however, the holidays are still under the impression of the devastating hailstorm four months ago. Especially during the storm of the past few days, a queasy feeling arose again. Thanks to the cohesion in the village community, as the mayor of Benediktbeuren, Anton Ortlieb, puts it, there is also a lot of optimism.
At Christmas, many things are still different in Benediktbeuern than usual. In the monastery basilica there are no Christmas masses, Christmas services or New Year's Eve concerts. Christmas is celebrated in St. Mary's Church. According to Ortlieb, the ban on fireworks on New Year's Eve was met with great understanding for safety reasons.
Work will continue on the roofs as long as possible
Some of those affected by hail are already spending Christmas under a new roof, says Ortlieb. This applies to about a third of those affected, estimates the Benediktbeuren pastor Bernhard Stiegler. In general, many cranes and tarpaulins on the roofs continue to characterize the image in the village. "Whenever the temperatures allow it, the hard-working carpenters and roofers can be seen on the roofs," says Stiegler.
Ortlieb estimates that it will take a total of one and a half years to repair all the damage. So far, it has been "a stroke of luck for Benediktbeuern" that construction is not exactly booming. As a result, many craftsmen from outside are available and working in the village. "But they will gradually return to their regions. As a result, the work will slow down." So far, no one has tackled damage to facades or wooden cladding.
"People are noticeably traumatized," says the pastor
The hailstorm also has a psychological effect. "People are noticeably traumatized," says Pastor Stiegler. In stormy weather, the memories would come flooding back. You can see this in the fact that "people get restless when wind or a thunderstorm picks up and the emergency roof starts to flutter." He himself had also been kept awake by storms during the night.
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The recent storm in particular has caused many an emergency roof to slip, Ortlieb confirms. A repair is only possible when the weather is dry again and the roofs can be safely entered. If water enters the house in the meantime, you may not notice it until much later in moisture damage and mold.
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Work on the basilica is progressing well
Previously, the masses of snow at the beginning of December had caused additional concerns. "Since then, we have also had four construction dryers in the town hall to prevent mould," says Ortlieb. In the parish hall, Stiegler reports, the roof has been repaired to such an extent that it should keep tight over the winter. Everything is already in place for the continuation of the work in the spring. "The roof tiles have been ordered, a crane is already on site and the building has already been scaffolded."
According to the clergyman, the work on the basilica is also progressing well. Here, the fire brigade and numerous other helpers would have prevented worse. "If it hadn't been for them, irreparable damage would have been done to the basilica," the parish priest expresses his gratitude. The disaster had welded the people of Benediktbeuren together. "This has greatly promoted cohesion in the community," the clergyman is certain.
Benediktbeuern looks to the future
Now it's a matter of looking ahead. "I think I speak for Benediktbeuern as well as for the people in Bichl, Ried or Arzbach," says Ortlieb. "We don't bury our heads in the sand." The majority of citizens welcome it when there are social events again, such as the recent Christmas market. There has also already been a meeting with the clubs for festivals in 2024 in Benediktbeuern. "It goes on."
As a sign of this, a festively decorated Christmas tree is enthroned high above the towers of the basilica and attached to a crane. "A small ray of hope in the Christmas season," says Pastor Stiegler. (ast/fs)
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