A number of countries in western Europe have been devastated by record-breaking floods for the first time in over 15 years. Germany recorded over 59 deaths while Belgium and Netherlands were forced to make a number of evacuations due to the floods.
The most affected areas were the Rhineland Palatinate and North-Rhine Westphalia. Roads have been broken, houses left to piles of debris with many Germans still waiting for rescue. Similar storms were last recorded in 1999 and 2005. The cause of the floods has been accounted to climate change. It had been raining for at least two days without major effects until streams started flooding on the third day.
In order to make sure the situation goes back to normal as soon as possible; the army has been sermoned to help in clearing some of the broken roads. Over 200,000 homes have lost electricity due to the flood. Most of the survivors have had to move to the upper floors of their houses as they wait for rescue.