As waters subside after devastating floods in Germany and Belgium, a huge clean-up is underway. Over 180 people have died and that figure could rise with many still missing. Germany has borne the brunt of the extreme weather, with at least 155 people killed in Rhineland-Palatinate state and neighboring North Rhine-Westphalia. Belgium has confirmed 27 casualties. The storms destroyed roads and bridges and reduced houses to rubble and mud. Heavy rain and flooding continued on Saturday in other parts of Europe, but in Germany, the waters receded to leave businesses and livelihoods destroyed. 'Everything is broken' The village of Wassenberg flooded when the nearby dam overflowed, leaving many inhabitants in shock. "What can we do? Everything is broken," said one man summing up the situation. On the outskirts of Erftstadt in North Rhine-Westphalia, highway 265 looked more like a river than a road on Saturday. The German armed forces were busy recovering vehicles trapped by the floodwaters. Military units also arrived in other towns and villages to help with the clean-up efforts. The number of missing people continues to fall as they are located, but the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Leaders pledge long-term support German Chancellor Angela Merkel was expected to visit the region on Sunday. Her visit comes after Germany's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier went to the area on Saturday and made clear that it will need long-term support. "A lot of people have lost everything they spent their lives building up — their possessions, their home, the roof over their heads," Steinmeier said. "It may only be possible to clear up in weeks how much damage needs to be compensated," he said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Belgium's most affected regions on Saturday and assured the residents of the European Union's support. — Euronews
