"Gone by the Flood": Remembering Johanna, Who Should've Been 26
Following the disconnection, it's confirmed that flood victim Johanna was 26 years old. - "Joanna, a flood victim, rips apart the connection"
Johanna, a vibrant 26-year-old, would've celebrated her birthday this week, but her loved ones will be meeting at herparents' home instead, emotionally preparing themselves for a seat left empty. On June 1st, the Ahr Valley flood swept Johanna away, leaving gaping holes in the lives of her family and friends. Her parents, Ralph and Inka Orth, have been fighting for accountability since the disaster, ensuring Johanna's memory lives on and future catastrophes are prevented.
Four years ago, Johanna's family received a panicked phone call. Around midnight, the phone rang, and her dad recalled her voice, "She called in a panic, saying it was dark, furniture was moving, and she couldn't open her apartment door." The door was usually effortless for Johanna, a slender woman. Ralph tried to calm her down, guide her to safety, but the call disconnected.
They reached out to Johanna repeatedly, but their calls were met with silence. It was a particularly heartbreaking moment as they had just flown to Mallorca that morning. "If she had managed to open that apartment door, she could've fled to the staircase," laments Inka.
Johanna was one of the 136 victims of the 2021 Ahr Valley flood in Rhineland-Palatinate. All that remains are cherished memories of the affectionate, never-argued-with, young woman she was. Her parents, who were close with Johanna, still remember their last moments together before their vacation. "She was about to finish her business degree and was already a patissier. If it hadn't been for her in-person class, she would've been with us on that day," reflects Ralph. "She wouldn't have been in the Ahrtal."
"You are already missed infinitely" were the words they shared on that last night, perhaps foreshadowing the breakdown of their family's heart.
Ralph and Inka have been determined to seek legal accountability since the disaster. They have submitted various expert opinions, but investigations remain open. "The past cannot be undone," states Ralph, emphasizing the importance of establishing clear responsibility for future disasters. The public prosecutor's stance on the matter is disappointing to them: "It's just a natural event, it happened, end of story." They believe that responsibility must be acknowledged and acted upon.
Inka questions the lack of evacuation plans in such critical situations. "We believe that human life is no longer the top priority. That should be the priority of anyone in a position of responsibility, every day."
Yet, despite their pain, they continue to find solace in memories of Johanna and their home in the Ahr Valley. They also have a second residence in Hamburg, where they erected a memorial to Johanna, who would have started a patisserie in Bad Neuenahr had the flood not occurred. Since late 2024, they have continued Johanna's dream by running "Patisserie Johanna" in Hamburg.
Ralph wishes that more people focus on what truly matters in life. He believes that the state cannot always be relied upon to provide protection, especially in catastrophic events like the one his family experienced. "We've experienced this firsthand, the worst and the most difficult loss – losing a child in such a situation," he sorrowfully reflects. "I wish more people would take an interest, because it can happen to anyone, at any time."
Ahr Valley, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Bad Neuenahr, Sunday, Furniture, Woman, Mallorca, Mother
- The Ahr Valley community is advocating for a revised policy that prioritizes evacuation plans during natural disasters, following the tragic flood that claimed Johanna's life and left 136 victims.
- In the realm of science and general news, the ongoing investigation into accountability for the Ahr Valley flood continues, with Johanna's parents submitting expert opinions to establish clear policies for preventing future catastrophes.
- In the health-and-wellness and family-health sectors, Ralph and Inka have shown resilience in their pursuit of justice for Johanna, their vibrant and slender daughter who they lost on June 1st, 2021.
- The fitness-and-exercise community might take inspiration from Ralph's call to action, urging people to prioritize their physical and mental well-being, as he reflects on the importance of living life to the fullest, following the loss of Johanna.
- Mental-health professionals and parenting experts could offer guidance to the Orth family as they grapple with their grief, seeking ways to maintain hope and strength during this difficult time.
- The women's health community should highlight the story of Johanna, a young woman with aspirations of starting a patisserie, whose life was cut short due to unfortunate circumstances.
- The crime-and-justice scene, along with the sports and sports-betting industries, should acknowledge the Orth family's pursuit of accountability following the Ahr Valley flood disaster, serving as a reminder that human life should always be the top priority in all sectors, regardless of the circumstances.
