From the mill to the houseboat: A family struggles after the flood

From the mill to the houseboat: A family struggles after the flood

The situation in Altenmarkt im Thale changed dramatically after the Weitschacher family was surprised by a devastating flood. Lena Weitschacher, together with her 16-month-old twins Arthur and Oskar and her dog DJ, describes their sadness over the loss of their lovingly renovated home, the Voglsangmühle. Their once happy life has been put in danger by the heavy rains in mid-September. What began as a renovated mill has turned into an uninhabitable ruin.

"It was so wonderful to live here. And now..." she expresses the emotional impact of the situation. The Weitschachers were aware of the vulnerability of their old mill, but the destruction now before them is beyond anything they have ever experienced. Almost all Altenmarkt residents, including older residents, confirm that they have never experienced such a rise in water. “We were a houseboat,” Lena reflects on the acute emergency situation that can arise when natural forces make themselves felt violently.

Decisions under pressure

The family had prepared for the predicted storm by setting up sandbags and getting the submersible pump ready for use. Nevertheless, the water came faster than expected. Ulrich Weitschacher worked tirelessly and tried to pump out the water. “I was supposed to take the children to my parents,” Lena remembered. This decision turned out to be important because the situation quickly became critical.

On Sunday morning the mill was completely flooded, the water from the Göllersbach overflowed its banks and entered the building. “The water was up to one meter high,” she describes vividly. The moment Ulrich realized they had to give up the house was a sobering turning point. “I can’t stop it,” he said, and it was at that moment that the Weitschachers realized the reality of what was happening.

Cleanup began on the Monday after the flood. The village community showed an overwhelming amount of support, which means a lot to Lena: “Everyone in Altenmarkt helped us.” However, flood protection now urgently needs to be strengthened. “We need to clarify flood protection first,” she says, adding that we need to ensure that such fatal events cannot happen again in the future.

Damage and hope of return

The exact amount of damage is still unclear, but estimates suggest it could exceed the 200,000 euro mark. The house is uninhabitable: furniture and floors were destroyed by the water, and the radiators hung on the walls like empty shells. The Weitschachers are currently living in an apartment in Harmannsdorf-rückersdorf, and Lena expresses her fervent wish: “We want to go back to Altenmarkt as quickly as possible.”

Despite the fate that has befallen the family, there are also bright spots. The family was encouraged by the enormous willingness to help from people in the region. "We're already at 30,000 euros. That's crazy. I'm eternally grateful that nothing happened to us," says Lena as she watches her twins. Even in difficult times there is hope, and the family has decided to preserve the cultural heritage of the old mill and renovate it again.

The Weitschacher family plans to begin renovation work as soon as possible after flood protection is clarified. “We can now do right what we didn’t solve optimally during the first renovation,” adds Lena, showing her optimistic attitude to the future.

In addition to the fundraising campaign launched by the family, which has already raised significant funds, a donation account has also been set up:

• Lena und Ulrich Weitschacher
• IBAN: AT39 3232 2000 0002 8423
• Verwendungszweck: Spende Hochwasser