Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Floodwater quickly swept through the Oliemolen, a farm, bed and breakfast, and historic landmark in Heerlen. 13 July 2021
Floodwater quickly swept through the Oliemolen, a farm, bed and breakfast, and historic landmark in Heerlen. 13 July 2021 - Credit: Marcel van Hoorn / ANP - License: All Rights Reserved
1-1-2
Tech
Nature
code red weather warning
Limburg
Limburg-Zuid
KNMI
Hans Verheijen
Wednesday, 14 July 2021 - 18:09
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Code red warning issued for heavily flooded Limburg; Residents told to avoid calling 112

Meteorological office KNMI upgraded its continuing weather warning for heavy rain in the province of Limburg to the most-severe Code Red. "Some thunderstorms are moving across the east and southeast. These showers can also bring a lot of rain in a short time," the KNMI said.

The alert will likely remain in place until 3 a.m. before it is downgraded to Code Orange. The heavy rainfall is expected through 6 p.m. on Thursday. It extended warnings to Noord-Brabant and Gelderland for Wednesday night.

Flooding all across the southern portion of Limburg was causing an overload to the regions emergency services offices. Emergency services has asked people to remain home as much as possible, to avoid rivers and waterways, and to only call 112 in "acute or life-threatening" situations.

"We knew there would be a lot of water and a lot more is coming," said Hans Verheijen, the Mayor of Sittard-Geleen, to NOS. To assist with the situation, the Defense Ministry dispatched military personnel to the region.

Ondertussen in Wijlre #wateroverlast #Limburg @RTLnieuws pic.twitter.com/ABoyj1Z9qc

โ€” Nils Rompen (@nilsrompen) July 14, 2021

"The military is also providing special vehicles so that transport remains possible where it is not possible due to the large amount of water," the Limburg-Zuid Security Region said.

There was a fear that a flood buffer in Hoensbroek will break through. "In that case, a wave would be created in which water flows out with great force," the security office stated. People were also told to take special precautions in the municipalities along the Gulp and Geul rivers, as they can overflow their banks.

Residents of Gulpen-Witten, Meerssen, Vaals, and Valkenburg aan de Geul were told to avoid flooded streets, avoid contact with rainwater and sewage, and to bring loose objects indoors. They were also told to install sandbags and barriers, and to use duct tape for emergency repairs to prevent water from seeping in.

"It is still uncertain what exactly will happen, but the heavy rainfall is expected to continue," the security office said. "Take measures and help each other as much as possible."

Seventy soldiers will initially assemble in Sittard. There, they can help with anything the Limburg-Zuid Security Region needs, like filling sandbags. They were sent from the barracks in Oirschot, and will remain on duty for 24 hours.

En ook in #Winthagen stroomt het water op dit moment door de straten. #noodweer #Limburg #wateroverlast @RTLnieuws pic.twitter.com/Omngj6xBLT

โ€” Nils Rompen (@nilsrompen) July 14, 2021

Dit is de huidige situatie ter hoogte van de #A79 ๐Ÿ‘‡ De weg is nog steeds dicht. Op de hoogte blijven van de actuele situatie? Check hier het artikel: https://t.co/Izz7W6gBVD. #codeoranje

(๐Ÿ“ท: @re_touched) pic.twitter.com/gZroiOp4w9

โ€” Rijkswaterstaat Verkeersinformatie (@RWSverkeersinfo) July 14, 2021

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • GGD Utrecht kicks off catch-up vaccination campaign against HPV
  • Heat pump sales up 37% due to high energy prices
  • Strong 47% rise in number of counterfeit euro banknotes discovered
  • Threats prompt the Netherlands to close its Istanbul consulate to the public
  • One person rescued from balcony in Hague apartment complex fire
  • Anti-depressants, anxiety meds messing with water life in Dutch canals, lakes

Top stories

  • Threats prompt the Netherlands to close its Istanbul consulate to the public
  • Pro-Russian hackers Killnet behind Groningen hospital cyberattack
  • Regional transport will strike for five days from February 6
  • Netherlands struggles to find qualified teachers; Shortage hits Amsterdam hard
  • Philips scrapping 1,100 jobs in Netherlands, 6,000 worldwide
  • Netherlands got most asylum applications since 2015 last year

ยฉ 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content