Countless Helpers – After the Tide Comes a Wave of Helpfulness

Early on Saturday morning there was a lot of activity in the operations center and on the helipad in front of the completely destroyed city center of Treffen.

Countless people in uniform exchange information, helicopters take off in all directions. And in the middle of it, the first volunteers are romping, equipped with rubber boots and shovels. “We have to stick together,” is the unanimous tenor.

Too many helpers
Just after 10:00 a message comes from the disaster area: please do not send any more helpers! After just a few hours, 165 volunteers were taken to the city center to support the affected homeowners. The federal army, which is deployed with an enormous number of men and machines, provides the public infrastructure.

Fire brigades from all over Carinthia
In the disaster area itself you notice relatively quickly why help is no longer needed. Volunteers roam in and in front of the affected homes. Among them were firefighters from all over Carinthia. “I have already seen comrades from Wolfsberg,” says a Floriani youth from Spittal.

Arriach remains cut off
In the meantime, an attempt is made to advance with heavy equipment towards Arriach, where, as in the entire surrounding valley, only the reporting day remains for the students. “But that will take some time,” suspects Michael Krainer, section commander and chief of the fire service, who thanks all volunteers for their efforts.

Although the city center of Treffen is completely destroyed and there is mud and rubble everywhere, there is always laughter. “You must not lose your sense of humor, despite the tragedy that prevails,” say the helpers.