Emergency in the Gastein Valley

Dear Farm Stories readers,

Just over a week ago, I sent all our regular guests and friends up-to-date information with the most beautiful current pictures from Gastein. But after only a few days, everything is different.

The dramatic events of the last few days have led to a heavy mood now hanging over the Gastein Valley. Thoughts of this abrupt natural dynamic make you think and leave you sad.

Some of you probably saw and heard it on the news or read it in the newspaper. Two storm fronts met right in the Gastein Valley and brought extremely heavy rainfall. The snow from the previous days and the rain caused flooding, mudslides; even bridges and roads have collapsed under the strain.

I quote Gerhard from gasteinertal.com

“When you look all around at the mountains and slopes, you see an incredible number of landslides. And in every newspaper and news broadcast you find disturbing pictures and videos. Here on the roads you see countless emergency services, helpers and also reporters; yesterday helicopters were also out several times on reconnaissance flights.”

Something can come crashing down on you so quickly and change everything from one moment to the next.

If you want to see something good in the whole catastrophe, it is certainly that guests from near and far, friends from all over the world, are writing and finding comforting words and also offering their help.

And above all, that a valley sticks together – so many volunteers, inns that provide free food and accommodation for the helpers.

“Impressively human in today’s times; a lot is broken and there are also injured people, but it will be put back in order again, repaired, and the wounds in people and nature will heal again. But we will not forget this warning sign from nature.”,”

writes Gerhard.

In any case, it is once again time to say thank you to everyone who is carrying this situation, supporting it, and helping with positive thoughts from near and far. And we can only hope that there will be no further extreme rainfall that sets the mountains sliding again.

Your farm lady Katharina from Zittrauerhof

If you would like to donate:

Photo: Toferer Lois, Winter Wolfgang, Schellhorn.