(22 Jul 2021) Following last week's devastating flooding, Germans continue to count the cost as the huge clean-up operation goes on.
At least 171 people were killed in the nation, well over half of them in Ahrweiler county, near Bonn.
In the nearby town of Sinzig, heavy downpours flooded the Ahr river.
That caused extensive damage homes, including the ground floor of Klaus Lemke's family duplex.
After the floodwaters receded, Lemke and his family, along with volunteers, worked to repair damage at the property and clear debris.
Lemke said his family was not insured for the damage caused.
So far nobody has told the Lemkes where to apply for government aid.
"I really don't know, I don't know who to turn to," Klaus said, adding his time too taken up by repairing the house to be able to search for support.
To assist those who have been affected by the flooding, Germany's Cabinet on Wednesday approved a roughly 400 million-euro ($472 million) package of immediate aid for victims.
It also vowed to start quickly on rebuilding devastated areas, a task whose cost is expected to be well into the billions.
Another 31 people were killed in neighbouring Belgium from the flooding which happened when small rivers swelled quickly into raging torrents last week.
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