Articles | Volume 24, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2837-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2837-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Always on my mind: indications of post-traumatic stress disorder among those affected by the 2021 flood event in the Ahr valley, Germany
Marie-Luise Zenker
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24–25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
Philip Bubeck
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24–25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
Annegret H. Thieken
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24–25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Cited
18 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Climate-related challenges to brain health: A European perspective review J. Reis et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurol.2025.07.010
- Exploring recovery complexity in the context of consecutive disasters S. Buijs et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-3559-2026
- Global Flood Vulnerability Model: Building-Level Assessment Using Multi-Source Remote Sensing S. Olagunju et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18091425
- ‘Strong Kids’: Effects of drama therapy on child resilience after the 2021 German flood disaster S. Koch et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2025.102254
- Flooding and the risk of PTSD, depression, and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis S. Yakubu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2026.124063
- The Damagecost model: a co-created open-source tool for assessing the socioeconomic impacts of flooding P. Kaspersen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2026.100654
- Germany Ahr Valley flood 2021: a social and mental health perspective of older adults (65+) experiences C. Song et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2025.100332
- Kumulative Traumatisierung als Folge einer Naturkatastrophe K. Scharping https://doi.org/10.30820/2752-2121-2025-4-33
- Psychological Preparedness for Disasters in Future Healthcare Workers: The Role of Education and Experience E. Alar Erkal et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2026.10403
- Livelihood disruption and psychological distress following the 2024 flash flood in Bangladesh M. Rahman et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13418-0
- Affecting land, body and soul: eco-anxiety in flooding communities in Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) M. Trifunović et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5309/ae714c
- The gendered nature of disasters: a review and analysis of flood impacts P. Aznar-Crespo et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/23251042.2026.2687602
- Living with the memory of disaster: Flood exposure and persistent well-being losses M. Abdelhady https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecadv.2026.100039
- Change in flood and climate risk perceptions after the 2021 flood in Germany: A panel study J. Ulrich & A. Kause https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.103129
- Multi-hazard risk assessment and management: pathways for the Sendai Framework and beyond T. Tiggeloven et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-9-185-2026
- Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among flood-affected women in Bangladesh: a case study following 2024 flash flood K. Al Hattawi et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1830406
- Understanding the combined mental health impacts of flooding and COVID-19 in Hue City, Central Vietnam T. Pham et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-1207-2026
- The impact of flood experience on primary school students’ climate change knowledge, self-assessment and attitudes N. Kyriazis & G. Stylos https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2026.2631664
18 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Climate-related challenges to brain health: A European perspective review J. Reis et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurol.2025.07.010
- Exploring recovery complexity in the context of consecutive disasters S. Buijs et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-3559-2026
- Global Flood Vulnerability Model: Building-Level Assessment Using Multi-Source Remote Sensing S. Olagunju et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18091425
- ‘Strong Kids’: Effects of drama therapy on child resilience after the 2021 German flood disaster S. Koch et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2025.102254
- Flooding and the risk of PTSD, depression, and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis S. Yakubu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2026.124063
- The Damagecost model: a co-created open-source tool for assessing the socioeconomic impacts of flooding P. Kaspersen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2026.100654
- Germany Ahr Valley flood 2021: a social and mental health perspective of older adults (65+) experiences C. Song et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2025.100332
- Kumulative Traumatisierung als Folge einer Naturkatastrophe K. Scharping https://doi.org/10.30820/2752-2121-2025-4-33
- Psychological Preparedness for Disasters in Future Healthcare Workers: The Role of Education and Experience E. Alar Erkal et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2026.10403
- Livelihood disruption and psychological distress following the 2024 flash flood in Bangladesh M. Rahman et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13418-0
- Affecting land, body and soul: eco-anxiety in flooding communities in Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) M. Trifunović et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5309/ae714c
- The gendered nature of disasters: a review and analysis of flood impacts P. Aznar-Crespo et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/23251042.2026.2687602
- Living with the memory of disaster: Flood exposure and persistent well-being losses M. Abdelhady https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecadv.2026.100039
- Change in flood and climate risk perceptions after the 2021 flood in Germany: A panel study J. Ulrich & A. Kause https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.103129
- Multi-hazard risk assessment and management: pathways for the Sendai Framework and beyond T. Tiggeloven et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-9-185-2026
- Prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among flood-affected women in Bangladesh: a case study following 2024 flash flood K. Al Hattawi et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1830406
- Understanding the combined mental health impacts of flooding and COVID-19 in Hue City, Central Vietnam T. Pham et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-1207-2026
- The impact of flood experience on primary school students’ climate change knowledge, self-assessment and attitudes N. Kyriazis & G. Stylos https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2026.2631664
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 22 Aug 2026
Editorial statement
This paper fills a knowledge gap concerning the mental health implications following devastating flood disasters. The authors use
a household-level survey to investigate risk and protective factors of post-traumatic stress disorder experienced in conjunction with the major event in the Ahr Valley, Germany, in July 2021.
This paper fills a knowledge gap concerning the mental health implications following devastating...
Short summary
Despite the visible flood damage, mental health is a growing concern. Yet, there is limited data in Germany on mental health impacts after floods. A survey in a heavily affected region revealed that 28 % of respondents showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder 1 year later. Risk factors include gender, serious injury or illness due to flooding, and feeling left alone to cope with impacts. The study highlights the need for tailored mental health support for flood-affected populations.
Despite the visible flood damage, mental health is a growing concern. Yet, there is limited data...
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