Key Points
- The World Meteorological Organization said Friday that some parts of western Europe had received up to two months worth of rainfall in just two days.
- Parts of Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have been affected, but the most severe flooding is reportedly in Germany and Belgium.
ENSIVAL, BELGIUM – JULY 16: Citizens clear up their flood damaged houses on July 16, 2021 in Ensival, Belgium.
Olivier Matthys | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Heavy rainfall and flooding have wreaked devastation across parts of western Europe, with rescue workers currently trying to prevent further damage.
The death toll rose above 150 on Saturday, according to media reports, with that figure expected to rise as flood waters recede.
Parts of Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have been affected, but the most severe flooding is reportedly in Germany and Belgium.
Germany’s Ahrweiler county in the Rhineland-Palatinate state is one of the worst-hit areas, along with North Rhine-Westphalia, the country’s most populated state.
The World Meteorological Organization said Friday that some parts of western Europe had received up to two months worth of rainfall in just two days.
This aerial photograph shows partially submerged caravans and campers in flood waters at the camping site of De Hatenboer in Roermond on July 15, 2021.
ROB ENGELAAR | AFP | Getty Images
TOPSHOT – Aerial view shows an area completely destroyed by the floods in the Blessem district of Erftstadt, western Germany, on July 16, 2021.
SEBASTIEN BOZON | AFP | Getty Images
ANGLEUR, LIEGE, BELGIUM – JULY 16: People use a boat to bring man out of home following a severe storm on July 16, 2021 in ‘Rue de Tilff’ in Angleur, a district from Liège, Belgium.
Thierry Monasse | Getty Images News | Getty Images
ENSIVAL, BELGIUM – JULY 16: Citizens are cleaning up their flooded houses on July 16, 2021 in Ensival, Belgium.
Olivier Matthys | Getty Images News | Getty Images
SINZIG, GERMANY – JULY 16: A broken bridge is seen after a major flood in the Ahrlweiler district of Germany’s mountainous Eifel area on July 16, 2021 in the village of Sinzig, Germany.
Adam Berry | Getty Images News | Getty Images
SCHULD, GERMANY – JULY 16: Destroyed houses and cars pictured on July 16, 2021 in Schuld, Germany.
Stringer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
BAD NEUENAHR, GERMANY – JULY 16: Streets and residences damaged by the flooding of the Ahr River are seen on July 16, 2021 in Bad Neuenahr – Ahrweiler, Germany.
Sascha Schuermann | Getty Images News | Getty Images
BAD NEUENAHR, GERMANY – JULY 16: Resident Elke Wissmann stands in front of her property that was destroyed by the flood on July 16, 2021 in Bad Neuenahr – Ahrweiler, Germany.
Sascha Schuermann | Getty Images News | Getty Images