Central Europe has been hit hard with bad weather during May. It was not only the coldest but also the rainiest month since decades of not centuries. In France and the Blackforest area we have seen swollen rivers but so far everything seems under control. In other parts of Europe whole cities have been swallowed by water, such as in Rosenheim in Bavaria.
We visited Kehl at the French border, a city located at the river Rhine. Everything is prepared for the flood, but the Rhine is still tame compared to other rivers.
The river separates Germany from France, so by crossing the foot bridge (Did we mention that there are no borders?) you enter another country. Isn't that cool?
On the left there is Germany, and France on the right side. Roland is 'cut in half' by the virtual border.
This barge below wasn't allowed to continue its journey. All boat traffic has been stopped for now.
Flooded pathways.
We hope the vehicles got moved before parking lot got flooded.
At the end of the day the sun came out, looked at the wet calamity, and went back into hiding.
Wow, so much flooding. With the weather the last year or so it make sit hard for people to dispute climate change.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way the sky is reflected in the water in that last picture. I am sure it is something flooded, but it makes for good photography.
Of course TV shows are full of discussions about climate change and what/who caused it. But as a matter of fact, if you build close to water chances are that you are getting wet feet at one point...
DeleteWater can be so terrifying. I always say at least snow stays put and doesn't (generally) enter your house.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of Roland.
Terrifying and fascinating. There is still no cure for the force of nature. Snow stays put until it melts...
Deleteit is so terrible with the bad rain and flood. friends of us were evacuated in the Dresden Area and others are also involved (Bavaria, Saxony). Also my beloved cities Budapest and Prague are affected ;-(.
ReplyDeleteWe have seen the pics of these areas, it is devastating. Some people have been hit badly in the flood of 2002 and now again. This time it seems worse, and people died. So sad.
DeleteObviously, the flooding isn't normal but what causes it? Around here, most of the flooding is caused by ice jams and not simply too much water. Are the rivers normally very slow moving? Please pardon my ignorance of European geography.
ReplyDeleteAfter the snow melt moderate flooding happens every year, but this year enhanced by torrential rainfalls. They say we got three times of the normal amount of rain in a very short time span. Hence the water are gathering in the plains and doesn't know where to go anymore as the river shores are heavily urbanized.
DeleteWhat/who caused the rainfalls... experts are currently discussing this because this the recent weather pattern (too cold, way too rainy) is out of the ordinary.
Weather is weird eh. We get the occasional floods where we live but most of the buildings are out of the danger zones .. carparks and reserves do get flooded and some of the older houses and businesses. We had a bad flood bout three years ago so I can kinda feel what you are going through.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Sonja .. hope you are both managing to keep dry :)
Yes, living on the river means floods. This has been a difficult year with floods here as well. Same reason just too much water. Recently a levee broke and is threatening area thought safe. The great Rivers are so powerful. I've been watching and reading about the flooding. Thanks for doing a post on it.
ReplyDeleteLast Summer we were in drought, this year too wet. I think we are into a time of weather extremes. I hope the water moves on and folks can get on with the clean up and living their lives next to the beauty of the rivers rather than the bust of flooding.
~k