![]() Flood disasters and droughts have long been known and researched as consequences of the climate crisis, but although they ultimately threaten “the survival of the planet and all humanity,” “the ruling class is incapable of and unwilling to adopt serious climate protection measures because this would undermine its economic and geostrategic interests.” “First, it is the direct product of the climate crisis produced by the capitalist profit system, which is leading to ever more extreme weather events,” it said. “We couldn’t have done it without the many volunteers,” reads a Facebook page from the Ahr valley.Ī few days after the flood disaster, the World Socialist Web Site published its statement, “The floods in Europe and the bankruptcy of capitalism,” which identified the dual causes of the flood disaster: In contrast, the help provided by those affected and by volunteers, some of whom travelled long distances to aid the flood victim, was outstanding and their support continues to this day. Even during and after the flood, the authorities failed to provide coordinated aid. Forty-nine people lost their lives in the state, while the flood also claimed 38 lives in Wallonia, Belgium.Īlmost all of the victims shared the same experience: when the flood came, there was no alarm, no advance warnings and no precautionary evacuations organised by the responsible federal, state and local authorities, although meteorologists and other scientists had warned of the danger days before. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the flooding of the rivers Ahr, Erft and Rur as well as the Ruhr and Wupper caused enormous damage. Tens of thousands of people were without electricity, drinking water and telephone services for days, many for weeks. The water level reached to the ceiling in many houses. Hundreds were injured and 9,000 buildings destroyed or severely damaged 134 people lost their lives. The damage was worst in Ahrtal in Rhineland-Palatinate, where the flooding of the river Ahr reached record levels. The masses of water destroyed and damaged thousands of houses, roads, bridges, large parts of infrastructure, schools, hospitals, doctors’ offices, shops, hotels and guesthouses, shops and businesses, in short: the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people. On July 14 and 15, 2021, severe weather and heavy rain unleashed huge flood waves in the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, and in Belgium. Today, one year later, this assessment still applies to large parts of the affected areas. “Like a war zone” was how residents of these flooded areas described their situation at the time. “We have been blown away by the generosity of wine producers and companies across the globe who have donated to this extremely worthy cause,” Andrew Reed, managing director of wine and exhibitions at William Reed said, according to Harpers. Lots range from an exclusive visit to the vineyards of González Byass in Jerez and Bodegas Tío Pepe winery to a private tour and tasting at Château Smith Haut Lafitte (including lunch with owners Florence and Daniel Cathiard) to a gift box of three top wines from Domäne Wachau’s single vineyard Achleiten. All proceeds from the auction will go to the German Wine Institute’s Ahr flooding donation account.It will soon be one year since the flood disaster in mid-July 2021 affected several regions of Western Europe. The auction, which will take place 17-20 September, will offer wine lovers the opportunity to bid on exclusive experiences and rare wines, with many donations coming from wineries included in last year’s Top 50 World’s Best Vineyards list, the group said on its website. Record rainfall in western Europe in July caused the Ahr River to burst its banks, destroying homes, wineries, cellars and infrastructure. ![]() ![]() Devastating Ahr floodsThe World's Best Vineyards grouping, backed by William Reed, will hold an online auction in September to raise money for wineries hit by catastrophic floods in western Germany's Ahr region.
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