Straubing underwater?

[mmglobal]

Yesterday, I saw a news item that showed flooded residential neighborhoods in Straubing!

I asked Dr. Fenk-Mayer if all was OK... here is her reply.

Dear Mr. *******,

the peak of the flood wave has passed this area yesterday night � and everybody is taking a deep breath in: the peak was a lot lower than the forecasts, and indeed a lot below 1999 and 2002 (where you could ship through Regensburg�). Hope there is no second peek. (It has been a catastrophy south of Munich�.)

In fact all the dams of this region where high enough, and just some souterrains got wet by ground water. And some river-side streets in all mentioned cities, which get flooded every year.(

E.g. Regensburg has decided not to build any dam in the inner city. Because this would destroy the medival water-front view completely . And the inhabitants and shop-keepers there are in support, because they live on tourism.)

Thank you for taking notice and care!!!!! By the way � at least Bogen hospital and our office is high up-hill. And Straubing hospital is right behind a high dam.

Yours respectfully
Dr. Andrea Fenk-Mayer

[Anita]

Hello Mark and all former/future visitors of Straubing/Bogen,

I'm here in Straubing, and the peek of water levels was astonishingly high, I took some photos of the water lapping at the side of the Saltzstadl (town library), we Americans could learn a thing or two about ancient engineering capabilities that allows the town to contain a library virtually on the bank of the Donau, without damage to the precious contents.

I also travelled southwest about 3 1/2 hours into the Bavarian Alps yesterday, to visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, the well known most photographed castle in Bavaria. The damage to many areas has been thoroughly addressed, the Germans as you know are an amazingly resilient and resourceful people.

The rain has stopped for now, the sun is out and the results are as many shades of astoniishly rich shades of green as you can possibly imagine.

It is a gift to be here.

Warm Regards to all,

Anita