Almost a year later: The flooded cemetery of Dernau
Image: Picture Alliance
District Administrator Cornelia Weigand calls for a reform of civil protection and more commitment from the federal and state governments. “It is wrong to only make the counties responsible.”
Ms. Weigand, you were mayor of Altenahr during the flood disaster, and at the beginning of the year you were elected district administrator for the Ahrweiler district. If another heavy rain event is announced – would you be prepared?
To answer the question, I have to backtrack. When it comes to natural disasters, in most federal states, including Rhineland-Palatinate, the district administrators are responsible for assessing and averting danger. Depending on the size of the district, you as district administrator are responsible for the weal and woe of 50,000 to 250,000 people in such a situation. Let me make a comparison: where I expect terrorist attacks, there are people at the federal level who do nothing but observe and assess the situation. If there is an indication of danger, these authorities take immediate action. When it comes to the weather, however, cryptic messages are sent, after which nobody really knows what exactly is going on.