Bavaria Mourns: Century's Flood Review: Emotional Reflection on THW Utilization
Last year in late May, Bavaria experienced a catastrophic flood of the century. Amidst the chaos, the Technical Relief Agency (THW) played a crucial role in protecting people, securing infrastructure, and managing the disaster.
The THW, a federal voluntary emergency response organisation with over 86,000 volunteers nationwide, deployed its forces across several administrative regions in Bavaria, including Swabia, Upper and Lower Bavaria.
So-called clearing groups supported cleanup operations using excavators, wheel loaders, and telescopic handlers. In some places, the flood reached the highest alert level 4. Thousands of sandbags were filled and built by hand by volunteer forces to secure dams. High-performance pumps with a capacity of up to 25,000 liters per minute were used to pump out millions of liters of water during the disaster.
The THW's efforts extended beyond the physical cleanup. They provided up to 7,000 meals daily to their own and other deployment forces, which they prepared directly on site in the disaster area. They also used drones to explore flooded areas and make better decisions in complex damage situations.
One of the significant challenges was the water pollution caused by the flood. The THW forces treated the polluted water, and separation plants were set up and operated to separate oil and water. Over 3.5 million liters of oil-water mixture were filtered. These plants reduced special waste quantities by around 90% and created usable water.
The person responsible for communication at the THW Landesverband Bayern is David Klomfaß-Kortenbruck, who serves as the press spokesperson. The THW Bavaria's state representative, Dr. Fritz Helge Voß, praised the efforts of the volunteers. The THW Bavaria is using the anniversary as an opportunity to honor its deployment and readiness.
The THW thanks its supporters, partners, and the population for their trust and solidarity. Despite the challenges, the THW remains operationally ready to provide quick and reliable assistance in disasters and emergencies. Their dedication and commitment to serving the community are truly commendable.
