Four years after the flood: Ahrtal remembers and fights for help!

Four years after the flood: Ahrtal remembers and fights for help!

Today, July 15, 2025, the Ahr Valley commemorates the devastating flood disaster that shook Rhineland-Palatinate four years ago. On the occasion of this sad anniversary, politicians and citizens have called for a show of solidarity. Prime Minister Alexander Wüst and federal politician Friedrich Merz (CDU) were present to commemorate the victims. Wüst emphasized that this day should oblige us to better protect our homeland. “We must not forget the lessons from the catastrophe,” said Wüst in his speech.

The flood disaster from July 14th to 15th, 2021 claimed the lives of 185 people. The search for a missing relative is still ongoing to this day. It cannot be overlooked that the effects of the disaster are still affecting people's everyday lives. “Faster and more effective help for those affected must now be on the table,” demanded Merz, recalling how many people in the region are suffering from the consequences. The reconstruction in the Ahr Valley is still not completely completed, which is testing the optimism of those affected.

Climate funds as a response to the crisis

In the same breath, Britta Haßelmann, the leader of the Green Party in the Bundestag, commented on the current situation. She called for an aid fund for climate damage in order to help people suffering from the consequences of the climate crisis more quickly and unbureaucratically. Their proposal would require polluting companies to pay into this fund. “It cannot be the case that disasters like those in the Ahr Valley are the result of a failure to protect the climate,” said Haßelmann. Her criticism of Merz regarding his climate policy is clear: She accuses him of slowing down climate protection, which is perceived as irresponsible.

This assessment is supported by reports that put the financial damage at around 40 billion euros. More than 330 people had to be rescued by helicopter, while thousands of buildings were destroyed. Reconstruction therefore remains at the center of the political discussion. This raises the question of what a sustainable reconstruction could look like.

Sustainability in reconstruction

The practical handbook “After the flood disaster: Opportunity for change” provides valuable approaches in this regard. This document is part of the KAHR (climate adaptation, flood, resilience) research project and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It is dedicated to supporting communities that suffered in the wake of the flood disaster. The focus is on the motto “Building Back Better” in order to set the course for sustainable and resilient structures.

The document pays particular attention to three key areas of action: reconstruction, risk assessment and reduction, and the resilience of societies. With such recommendations and practical examples, affected communities could be specifically supported in order to invest preventively in climate-resilient settlement development.

An ecumenical service will also take place in the Ahr Valley today. Prime Minister Wüst and the mayor of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Guido Orthen (CDU), are expected. The emotional day not only reminds us of the past tragedies, but also offers a valuable perspective on the future.

The events surrounding the flood disaster remain a warning reminder and a call to all of us to actively support climate protection and to continue to support the people in the Ahr Valley.

For more information on the policy response, see reports from Deutschlandfunk and Time online. The practical guide to reconstruction can be found on the website of German Institute for Urban Studies be retrieved.