On 13 and 14 July 2021, torrential rains fell on Western Europe, mainly in Germany and Belgium, causing severe flooding. At least 191 people lost their lives as a result.
Germany alone has recorded 160 deaths while dozens of people are still missing. According to the authorities, the human toll could rise even higher.
The storms have also caused enormous material damage. This is probably one of the most serious floods recorded in recent years in Europe.
According to the first estimates, the cost of the disaster for Germany would be well over 1 billion EUR (1.18 billion USD).
Well before the disaster of 13 and 14 July 2021, the association of German insurers (GDV) already estimated that the storms, floods, heavy rains and hail occurring in Germany in 2021 could be the most costly since 2013. These events had caused insured losses of between 8 and 9 billion EUR (9.4 and 10.6 billion USD).
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