Two days after the tornado that hit the south east of the Grand Duchy, and people continued to work tirelessly to restore their homes back to their previous condition.
Hundreds of volunteers could be found on site, offering their help and support.
Most of the damage is in the region between Lamadeleine and Charage (Käerjeng), especially Rue du Près (Lamadeleine), Rue Neuve (Pétange) and Avenue du Luxembourg (Pétange – Charage).
According to Charage's local authorities, a total of 232 houses were damaged, with 40 having lost a roof, and 3 being completely uninhabitable.
The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps deployed 180 fire fighters, however how long safety works will last remains unclear, according to Pascale Stammet, operation leader in Charage. According to Stammet, it would be difficult to deliver any clear estimates, since not only did they need more information, but they were also dependent on the cooperation of roofing businesses with which they would have to coordinate efforts.
For the time being, efforts of roofers, builders, emergency services and family members were being directed at making roofs rain- and waterproof through the use of tarpaulins.
Good progress was also made in Pétange over the weekend. Pierre Mellina, mayor of Pétange, passed on the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines findings, which established that there were 3 uninhabitable buildings on Rue Neuve. These preliminary inspections were primarily to determine which houses were unfit for habitation, however Monday’s reviews would see to any enduring doubts.
Avenue de Luxembourg, behind the Biff roundabout, has also reopened, alongside some shops. Serge Jungels, manager at a supermarket in Charage, remarked that while there was damage to the establishment’s exterior – in terms of electricity cables and the like – it did not extend to the building’s interior.
The commercial damage remained severe, however.
A bus company based in the industrial zone “Bommelscheier” managed to come out relatively unscathed, with associate Jos Sales assured that the damage was manageable, and that by the time the holiday period was over – i.e. by the 15 September – all the usual buses should be running again. 22 buses were affected by the storm and some parts were dented.
The Brasserie National also escaped excessive damage, with production director Maurice Treinen acknowledging their good fortune: despite their roof suffering some damage, no machines were incapacitated, and beer production was still well underway.
However, by no means was everyone so lucky. The petrol station at the Biff roundabout, as well as a number of restaurants, will have to remain closed for the time being.
Throughout the day, the number of fire fighters deployed in the area was continuously raised, a statement issued by the crisis unit lead by Home Affairs Minister Taina Bofferding reported. What started as 100 quickly increased to 150 and even 180 engaged on site, with fire fighters from 25 stations getting involved.
While a number of streets have since reopened, the public should be aware that enduring issues are likely to continue to cause traffic congestions.
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