20 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: The bank of the Rhine is closed off - a sign warns of high water. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

20 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: A woman stands by a path flooded by the Rhine. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

20 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: Boat docks and a path are flooded by the Rhine. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

20 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Cars parked at the entrance to the Blessem district. Residents hope that they will be allowed back into their homes today, at least briefly. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

20 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Firefighters load their vehicle after pumping out a stormwater retention pond. Emergency services had suspected that there were still vehicles here. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

20 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: A vehicle of the fire brigade is standing next to a rainwater retention basin that has been pumped empty. Emergency services had assumed that there were still vehicles here. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: The access road to the Blessem district is closed off. In Blessem, there is acute danger to life near the edge of the quarry. The authorities have therefore issued a ban on entering the village. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU, l) speak to the media in front of the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU, l) speak to the media in front of the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU, l) speak to the media in front of the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU, l) visit the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU, 2nd from right) visit the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU) visit the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were threatening to burst for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU, l) speak to the media in front of the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) visits the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: View of the broken dam of the Steinbach dam. The dams of the dam threatened to break for days because of the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Police and engineers stand on the dam wall of the Steinbach Dam. The dams of the dam threatened to burst for days because of the high water. Today the all-clear was given and the residents are allowed to return to their villages. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: A firefighter operates the compressor of the high-performance pump, which was used to empty the Steinbach dam to the point where there is no longer any danger. The dams of the reservoir were in danger of collapsing for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, 2nd from right) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, (CDU, 3rd from right) thank Bundeswehr soldiers in front of the Steinbach Dam for their efforts during the disaster. The dam's dams were in danger of collapsing for days due to the flooding. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU,l) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, (CDU, r) thank Bundeswehr soldiers in front of the Steinbach dam for their deployment in the disaster. The dam's dams were in danger of collapsing for days due to the flooding. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: A police patrol drives through the abandoned Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the flood, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: A clearing excavator stands in the Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the flood, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: A policeman goes on patrol through the Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the floods, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: Residents have hung filthy towels on the bridge railing. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the flood, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: Residents have put household goods and garbage from their houses into a container at the Eschbachstra?e on the sidewalk. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the floods, the Eschbach and Wupper rivers overflowed their banks, and Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Framersheim: The first inhabitants of Framersheim return to their village. Until today, the village was evacuated for safety reasons due to a possible dam break at the Steinbach dam caused by the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: A police barrier tape is attached to the signpost to the Steinbach dam. Experts will decide in the morning when people in the evacuated areas will be allowed to return to their homes. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Sign for the Steinbach dam. Experts will decide in the morning when people in the evacuated areas will be allowed to return to their homes. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: The windows of this restaurant in the Eschbachstra?e are broken. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the flood Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: In a container lies household effects and garbage from the houses at the Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the flood, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: View of the abandoned and mud-covered Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the floods, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: A man with a handcart walks past the mountains of rubble through Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the floods, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: Sandbags lie on the pavement on Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the flood, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: Residents have placed household goods and garbage from their houses on Eschbachstra?e on the sidewalk. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the floods, the Eschbach and Wupper rivers overflowed their banks, and Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Police officers stand at a barrier to the district of Blessem. In Blessem, there is an acute danger to life near the edge of the quarry. The authorities have therefore issued a ban on entering the village. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

dpatop - 19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU, r) and the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet (CDU, l) speak to the media in front of the Steinbach Dam. The dam's dams were in danger of bursting for days due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: A man with a handcart walks past the mountains of rubble through Eschbachstra?e. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: Residents of the Eschbachstra?e have hung a scarf of the local sports club on their front door. The place remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. In the flood, Eschbach and Wupper carry over the banks, the Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Solingen-Unterburg: View of the devastated town centre with Eschbachstra?e. The village remains completely closed until further notice, the residents have been evacuated. During the flood, Eschbach and Wupper overflowed their banks, Eschbachstra?e was completely flooded. (Aerial photo with a drone) Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: ADAC helpers recover a car on the 265 federal highway. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Firefighters pull a hose across the muddy state highway 265. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: A firefighter walks across the muddy state highway 265. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Helpers from the fire brigade and the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) pump water out of a rainwater retention basin in which there are said to still be vehicles. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Framersheim: The first inhabitants of Framersheim return to their village. Until today, the village was evacuated for safety reasons due to a possible dam break at the Steinbach dam caused by the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Framersheim: A "Thank you" poster hangs in a front yard. Until today, the village was evacuated for safety reasons because of a possible dam break at the Steinbach dam due to the high water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Weilerswist: Plastic bottles with drinking water are ready for the victims of the flood in front of the Maria-Magdalena-Church in Heimerzheim. Photo: Fabian Strauch/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Weilerswist: A prayer service is held for the helpers of the storm disaster in the Maria Magdalena Church in Heimerzheim. President Thorsten Latzel will conduct the service. Photo: Fabian Strauch/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Weilerswist: A prayer service is held for the helpers of the storm disaster in the Maria Magdalena Church in Heimerzheim. President Thorsten Latzel will hold the service. Photo: Fabian Strauch/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Weilerswist: A man sits with mud-smeared pants and shoes during the devotion in the church. A prayer service is held for the helpers of the storm disaster in the Maria Magdalena Church in Heimerzheim. Photo: Fabian Strauch/dpa

19 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: ADAC helpers recover a car on the 265 federal highway. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: In the cellar of an apartment house of the Laupendahler Landstra?e household appliances have fallen over. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr overflowed its banks and flooded the district Werden. Now the clearing up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: View at the Laupendahler Landstra?e to a place name sign in the district Werden. On 15.07.2021 the nearby river Ruhr overflowed its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: The Laupendahler Landstra?e is widely cordoned off. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: A car stands in the flooded garage of an apartment building on Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr river overflowed its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: Water is still standing in the sloping garage area of an apartment building on Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021, the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the Werden district. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: The Laupendahler Landstra?e is widely cordoned off. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: A man carries a stove from a house destroyed in the flood on the street In der Borbeck. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr river overflowed its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: The Laupendahler Landstra?e is widely cordoned off. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: A resident places photo albums destroyed during the flood on the edge of Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021, the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the Werden district. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: Residents bring the mud out of the basement of the apartment building on Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021, the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the Werden district. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: Residents put the household goods destroyed in the flood on the edge of the street In der Borbeck. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: Residents have placed the household goods destroyed in the flood at the edge of the Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021, the nearby Ruhr River overflowed its banks and flooded the Werden district. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: A mobile toilet house has fallen down at the Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr overflowed its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: A helper throws debris from a flooded house onto a pile of garbage. The cleanup has begun. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The material goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge by haulage companies to the flooded areas. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The material goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge by haulage companies to the flooded areas. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The material goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge by haulage companies to the flooded areas. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The material goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge by haulage companies to the flooded areas. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The material goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge by haulage companies to the flooded areas. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge to the flooded areas by haulage companies. The willingness to donate was so great that the Dome was so full early on that the initiators had to turn away further donations due to lack of space. The approx. 3000 boxes are delivered in consultation with the local institutions, promptly and according to need. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge to the flooded areas by haulage companies. The willingness to donate was so great that the Dome was so full early on that the initiators had to turn away further donations due to lack of space. The approx. 3000 boxes are delivered in consultation with the local institutions, promptly and according to need. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Volunteers pack boxes of relief goods for the flood victims in the PSD Dome. The goods collected by a private initiative are then transported free of charge to the flooded areas by haulage companies. The willingness to donate was so great that the Dome was so full early on that the initiators had to turn away further donations due to lack of space. The approx. 3000 boxes are delivered in consultation with the local institutions, promptly and according to need. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: A woman grabs a bratwurst from a food stand set up by volunteers. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: Volunteers clean mud from damaged documents in front of the registry office. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: Volunteers clean mud from damaged documents in front of the registry office. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: A helper of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) walks through the flooded city archive. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: The access road to Blessem is closed. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: A man is standing by a collapsed road. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: A football team arrives with brooms and shovels to help with the cleanup. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: Two volunteers clear mud from the basement of a restaurant. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: People standing by a collapsed road. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: People carry debris from their formerly flooded homes out into the street. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: People throw furniture destroyed by the flood onto a garbage truck. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: There's a car under some debris. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: With his flashlight a helper of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) walks through the flooded city archive. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: Some of the graves in the cemetery have been washed away. In Bad Munstereifel the Erft, which has overflowed its banks, has caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: Some of the graves in the cemetery have been washed away. In Bad Munstereifel the Erft, which has overflowed its banks, has caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: A car lies in the river Erft. In Bad Munstereifel the Erft, which has overflowed its banks, has caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: Helpers walk through the town centre. In Bad Munstereifel, the Erft has overflowed its banks and caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: Water stands in the town centre. In Bad Munstereifel, the Erft has overflowed its banks and caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: A life preserver lies on a gravesite in the cemetery. In Bad Munstereifel the Erft, which has overflowed its banks, has caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: A car lies in a front garden. In Bad Munstereifel, the Erft has overflowed its banks and caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: A woman stands at a destroyed grave in the cemetery. In Bad Munstereifel the Erft, which has overflowed its banks, has caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: Helpers walk through the town centre. In Bad Munstereifel, the Erft has overflowed its banks and caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: A car lies in a driveway in front of a destroyed rear house. In Bad Munstereifel the Erft, which has overflowed its banks, has caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bad Munstereifel: A man carries debris out of the house. In Bad Munstereifel the Erft, which has overflowed its banks, has caused considerable damage. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: A soldier of the Bundeswehr sits on his tank on the B265 near Erftstadt Liblar while the tank tows a destroyed car. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: Helpers from the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) walk through a formerly flooded street where debris is now piled up. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU, 2nd from left) visits the Bundeswehr in Erftstadt Blessem. On the A1 motorway near Erftstadt Blessem, the politician stands with soldiers of the Bundeswehr. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU, 2nd from left) visits the Bundeswehr in Erftstadt Blessem. On the A1 motorway near Erftstadt Blessem, the politician stands with soldiers of the Bundeswehr. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU, 2nd from left) visits the Bundeswehr in Erftstadt Blessem. On the A1 motorway near Erftstadt Blessem, the politician stands with soldiers of the Bundeswehr. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hagen: The pavement is broken up due to the masses of water. On the fourth day after the flood, the extent of the destruction becomes visible. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hagen: Mountains of stones and debris lie on a road over which residual water still runs. On the fourth day after the flood, the extent of the destruction becomes visible. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

dpatop - 18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: A resident places photo albums destroyed during the flood on the edge of Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021, the nearby Ruhr burst its banks and flooded the Werden district. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: The water level in the Steinbach reservoir has dropped significantly. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: The water level in the Steinbach reservoir has dropped significantly. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Euskirchen: The water level in the Steinbach reservoir has dropped significantly. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: Clean-up work in Erftstadt Liblar. THW employees stand behind a pile of disposed things. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: A worker cleans up a pile of disposed items and loads them onto a garbage truck. The clean-up work in Erftstadt Liblar has begun. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: A man cleans up a pile of discarded items and loads them onto a garbage truck. The clean-up work in Erftstadt Liblar has begun. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: On the B265 near Erftstadt Liblar are car wrecks that were still under water yesterday. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: A Bundeswehr tank pulls a car out of the flood. A fire brigade emergency vehicle and a truck are still under water on the B265 near Erftstadt Liblar. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: A fire brigade emergency vehicle and a truck are still under water on the B265 near Erftstadt Liblar. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: On the B265 near Erftstadt Liblar, a recovered taxi stands behind a Bundeswehr tank. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bergheim: Two signs are stuck on a door. The crisis team of the Rhine-Erft district meets in the room. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bergheim: The crisis team of the Rhine-Erft district meets in the Bergheim district council to discuss the further course of action in the flooded region. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bergheim: The crisis team of the Rhine-Erft district meets in the Bergheim district council to discuss the further course of action in the flooded region. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: In the district of Kupferdreh During the heavy storm in the night of 15 July, a large crater was created in the access road to an industrial estate. A tanker truck parked there fell into the Deilbach, which flows underground. The driver, who was asleep in the truck, was rescued uninjured. Photo: Markus Gayk/TNN/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: Flotsam lies on a jetty on the banks of the Rhine. The Rhine level drops again after the storms. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne: Parts of the Rhine promenade are flooded. The Rhine level drops again after the storms. Photo: Oliver Berg/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: On the B265 near Erftstadt Liblar, a Bundeswehr tank got stuck and had to be pulled out by a second tank. Photo: David Young/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Erftstadt: On the B265 near Erftstadt Liblar, a recovered taxi stands behind a Bundeswehr tank. Photo: David Young/dpa - ATTENTION: The license plate of the car was pixelated for legal reasons

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: A man walks with his wheelbarrow past a car in the flooded garage at an apartment building at Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021 the nearby Ruhr river overflowed its banks and flooded the district of Werden. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: Car tyres lie in the sloping garage at a residential house on Laupendahler Landstra?e. On 15.07.2021, the nearby Ruhr River overflowed its banks and flooded the Werden district. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Leichlingen: Masses of rubbish of Wednesday night's flood lies before a cleaning. The city center was completely under water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Leichlingen: With united forces the citizens of Leichlingen clean up the rubbish of the flood of Wednesday evening. The city centre was completely under water. Photo: Roberto Pfeil/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen: Residents placed household goods destroyed in the flood on the edge of Laupendahler Landstra?e. On Thursday, the nearby Ruhr River overflowed its banks and flooded the Werden district. Now the clean-up work has begun. Photo: David Inderlied/dpa

18 July 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia, Stolberg: A helper of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) walks through the flooded city archive. Photo: Marius Becker/dpa