High water peak Geul reaches Valkenburg ANP
The peak of the high water in the Geul reached Valkenburg on Monday morning. The water is about 25 to 30 centimeters below the quay around 8:30 a.m., a spokeswoman for the fire service said. The Geul is still rising centimeters, it is expected that the river will just not overflow its banks.
The fire brigade and water board are in increased readiness to be able to help immediately if it does flood. That is not expected, however, the spokeswoman said, but at the same time she said it is difficult to provide forecasts.
The fire brigade is ready with sandbags and pumps. “Should it be, we can act right away,” she said. “The danger has not yet passed.”
downpours
The high water peak also goes towards Meerssen. “It is only when that peak flows into the Meuse that the danger has passed. It is difficult to say when that will happen, it is estimated that it can take hours.”
The high water is mainly caused by downpours in Belgium. In the night from Sunday to Monday, parts of Epen and Mechelen were affected by flooding. The water was also high at the Brand breweries in Wylre, but the peak has now passed in those places. In many places in the Geul and Gulp catchment, cellars have been flooded and gardens, fields, meadows, roads and parking lots are flooded.
No evacuations planned yet
“It is currently still coffee grounds to see what the water will do in Valkenburg and Meerssen,” said the spokeswoman. “That depends on how much water the flood plains can absorb. It is difficult to make a prognosis.”
No evacuations are planned at this time. “We hope to be able to keep it that way. That is why the fire brigade is present in large numbers, both to be able to help quickly, but also to provide mental support for the residents.”
Many inhabitants of the Limburg hills hold their breath. They remember the floods of July 2021, which flooded large parts of Valkenburg and Meerssen in particular.