Efficient Germans cope with floods

10:39am Thursday 20th March 2008

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I AM concerned that when the next flood hits the town, the damage sustained is going to be just as bad as it was in July.

This is primarily because what is being replaced will not withstand the effects of floodwater, when there is a golden opportunity to rebuild with materials that could reduce damage.

Some time ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Mosel area of Germany, where the river usually floods every year.

On the river are a number of very picturesque towns, notable being Bernkastel-Krus.

With family and friends we had lunch in one of the hotels, where I noticed around the dining room various marks on the walls high up above the wall panelling, with dates, these are the marks of the flood levels.

I was curious to know how they coped with such a calamity, only to be told, in perfect English, that everything in the room was completely demountable, including the wall panelling and the bar fittings and that within two hours of a flood warning the ground floor could be completely stripped bare.

This was common practice throughout the town including houses and even the church.

Within a short period after the flood the area can be hosed down, sanitised and back in business. Because they flood so often there is no insurance cover and necessity being the mother of invention, the people have solved the problem.

Maybe we here in Evesham should consider what they are doing in that part of Germany as a possible solution.

JOHN S SERMON, Monks Walk, Evesham.