During the high water on Monday, residents of Tussen de Bruggen from Meerssen thought back to the flood disaster of July last year.
Teun and Ellen Klaassen live on the corner of the Kleine Geul. Just on Monday, the contractor started rebuilding their home, which has become uninhabitable due to the flood in July.
Vibration of the tension
They stand with neighbors watching as the water reaches the peak. “I’m shaking with tension,” says Ellen. “Now it’s survival, filling sandbags and hoping the water stays in the stream.” Still, it’s much less worrisome for her now. Last year there was suddenly water in the house and there was no help. Emergency services are now coming and going.
big bags
Help is coming from all sides. The neighborhood is also together to see how fast the water rises. Large bags of sand are placed next to the stream to prevent the water from flowing back into the houses. Many residents missed the help that is now available in July last year.
Put into practice
Last Friday, residents had a conversation with employees and the Limburg Water Board that things should be different next time. That seems to be immediately put into practice in this situation. Mayor Mirjam Clermonts-Artz came to watch a number of times on Monday. Monday morning with the alderman and at the time of the highest point she came again.
Also read: Safety region: ‘Flooding will end after Monday’
Fears and displeasure
“What happened in July was a disaster,” she says. “And that has caused a lot of fears, displeasure and misunderstanding. This is also an opportunity to show them not only what we have already done, but that we are really very concerned now. I hope that helps with processing.”