An RTL journalist went on-site to the Müllerthal area on Friday morning to see what was happening in-person.
Floods, mudslides, trees and even rocks on the roads: the situation in Müllerthal seemed disastrous this morning.
Firefighters were already on the scene as we arrived in the area, but the situation seemed static. Shocked by the damage, the few firefighters who were already there seemed disconcerted by its extent.
© Gaël Arellano/ RTL Luxembourg
Two camping areas were devastated by the rain. There were flooded houses, impassable streets, etc. But the most impressive scene was what we saw in rue de l'Ernz Noire. The Cigalon hotel was upside down.
During the night, the water had literally passed through the ground floor of the hotel and brought everything in its passage, leaving a thick coat of mud and sand behind it.
Just yesterday this room was a lounge that welcomed the Cigalon's customers. / © Gaël Arellano/ RTL Luxembourg
Things really started to move towards 8.30am. Additional firefighting units arrived, the police sealed the perimeter, the electricians managed to cut the power, water management staff were able to make their inspections and town employees started to clear the roads.
What resembled until then a total write-off started to look like a relief zone. Very quickly, as we were traversing the rubble of the hotel, we learned that the prime minister, Xavier Bettel and the interior minister, Dan Kersch were planning to come to the area.
The town's residents warmly received this news, after having been until that point completely distraught.
Xavier Bettel arrived on the scene at nearly 9am. / © Gaël Arellano/ RTL Luxembourg
Towards 9am, the government representatives and the emergency service were all present. The prime minister went to reassure some of those who had lost the most in the flooding, then did the rounds of Müllerthal in order to see the damage for himself.
Around this delegation, it was tumultuous: everyone was doing everything they could to clear the roads, clear the water and help the residents.
Interviewed on the question of the floods, Bettel and Kersch didn't want to talk about a "natural catastrophe", at least not yet.
"We're going to convene the government council and make a report before making any decisions," the prime minister told us this morning.
He also expressed a wish to congratulate the emergency teams which will be working all day long.
As far as we've learned, no-one has been injured.
