Andreas Pollak and Manuela Wachenfeld from the DLRG local group Westhofen-Garenfeld in Hagen currently don’t have a good feeling in their stomachs when they enter their water rescue station on the Ruhr. There is great concern that they will find new damage in the walls that are still damp, for example more cracks.
In the last week of December the water stood in the house for days and no sooner had it drained than it came back again at the beginning of January. It’s finally been gone for three days, but that doesn’t apply to the worries of the DLRG members.
“I could have cried when I entered the station for the first time after the flood. Seeing the damage, the cracks in the walls, the floor slab coming up, it’s depressing.” Andreas Pollak is very afraid that the building will not survive the frost.
Building expert should examine building
Also frustrating: On December 30th, many volunteers removed the mud from the building and cleaned everything. Then the next flood came and they had to do it a second time. There is great uncertainty because no one knows what damage the frost will cause. A building expert is due to inspect the station in a few days.
New building cannot be financed – hope for donations
Even repairing the damage exceeds the DLRG’s financial capabilities. Unimaginable if the station actually has to be demolished. Because the DLRG can never afford a new building with its own resources. That’s why they’re hoping for donations.
“We would then appeal for donations on social media and everywhere else. We cannot do this without outside help,” says Andreas Pollak. But everyone here is still hoping that this won’t happen.