On 14 July 2021, extreme precipitation lashed the Alps and other parts of Europe. A cascade of water ripped through the rivers. Despite advance warnings of major floods, nearly 200 people died in Germany. As the water moved downstream during the following days, over three dozen people died in Belgium.

A recent study analyzes the psychosocial impacts in Belgium of this disaster. It is unique in that previous work on this flood had not focused on Belgium and mental health. The research’s importance further emerges in considering the medium-term, meaning 24 to 36 months after the catastrophe. Other similar studies often highlight principally the immediate aftermath, while people are still cleaning up as the waters recede.

The study location was the Vesdre Valley, with the River Meuse as the main waterway and Liège as the largest city. Nele De Maeyer at Ghent University in Belgium led a team of four other researchers to distribute an online, quantitative survey in French. Participant recruitment was completed through local organisations and social media groups, municipalities and health organisations, and word-of-mouth (“snowballing” in research terminology).

The researchers received 205 responses, of which 114 were complete and relevant to the study, meaning that they could be used for the analysis. Forty-one respondents stated they are male, 72 stated they are female, and one did not disclose their

© Psychology Today