The Empty Seat: Johanna, Flood Victim, Would've Turned 26 Today
Communication abruptly terminated - Rip the connection: Stranded Flood Victim Joanna turns 26 years old
Vent your feelings with every word
June 1st should've been Johanna's 26th birthday, but her family gathers without a cake, without a pastry chef. Instead, they'll be at Johanna's childhood home, surrounded by memories. "We'll be there," says her dad Ralph Orth, "Those who can bare the heartache will join us."
The Ahr Valley flood swept Johanna away in 2021, leaving an empty seat at the table, stolen from her parents, family, and friends. Since then, her parents Ralph and Inka have been fighting for justice, accountability, and prevention of future disasters.
"She called out in terror"
Four years later, the parents recall the phone call vividly. Around midnight, the phone rang, says Ralph Orth. "She was terrified, whispering that it was dark, furniture was moving, and she couldn't open the apartment door."
The door was usually a breeze for Johanna, Inka adds. "She was petite, and my husband tried to calm her down, find a way out. But then the connection was lost."
The family tried relentlessly to reach Johanna, but the connection was cut off. They had flown to Mallorca that morning. "If she had managed to open that apartment door, she could've escaped to the staircase," she says, riddled with regret.
"She was an angel from heaven"
Johanna is one of the 136 victims of the flood disaster in Rhineland-Palatinate. All that remains are memories of their then 22-year-old daughter. "She was an angel from heaven," says her mother.
"Johanna was incredibly affectionate. She couldn't stand arguments at all," she remembers. "That was the worst thing for her. She was incredibly conscious of harmony." The family and Johanna were close, sharing countless phone calls daily. "We knew almost every emotion she had," she says.
"You're already missed, infinitely"
The couple recalls the last evening they spent together before the vacation. Johanna was working on her business administration degree and dabbled in pastry. "And it just so happened that day I was there, otherwise she would've joined us on that day," says Orth. "But Johanna stayed."
That evening, Johanna was still in the family office, saying goodbye. "It was incredibly hard to leave the next day to go on vacation," she remembers. "And then we both hugged her and told her: You're already missed, infinitely."
"Yesterdays cannot be altered"
The couple has been fighting for legal accountability since the disaster. They've filed complaints against the cessation of investigations. "Despite numerous reports submitted, the investigations have yet to be reopened," says Ralph Orth. "The past cannot be altered, but it's crucial to establish clear responsibility for future catastrophes or similar situations."
Ralph Orth sums up the public prosecutor's legal assessment as follows: "It's just a natural event, it happened, end of story." He finds this appalling, as there are responsibilities involved. Inka still doesn't understand why there were no evacuation plans. "We believe that human life is no longer a priority. It should be the top priority for anyone in a position of responsibility."
"Walking through those places... it hurts, of course"
Yet, the couple feels a sense of belonging in the Ahr valley, where they have their family, their home, and Johanna's grave. "Seeing these places where we share memories, it hurts," says the 61-year-old father. "That's why it's good that we also spend regular time in Hamburg, where we have a second home."
In this second home, they've erected a monument to Johanna. "We wanted to realize her dream of her own pastry shop together, and we could already see ourselves in the kitchen with her, learning how to make pralines, how she would decorate those wonderful little cakes," says Inka Orth. "We were excitedly looking forward to it." She would've loved to bake Christmas cookies with Johanna using her mother-in-law's recipe.
Johanna had already chosen a storefront in Bad Neuenahr and written a business plan, but then the flood struck. Her parents have continued her dream. Since late 2024, they have been operating the "Patisserie Johanna" in Hamburg.
"People need to understand what's essential"
Do they have wishes for the future? Ralph Orth wishes that more people would focus on what truly matters. "One can quickly become dependent on the state," he says, "but then the protection the state should provide is not there." He experienced this firsthand, he says, with the worst loss: the loss of a child in such a situation.
He would wish that more people would pay attention, "Because anyone can be affected at any time. No one is safe from such a situation."
- The community policy should address the emotional and financial support for families who have lost loved ones in natural disasters like the Ahr Valley flood.
- The employment policy can implement flexible work arrangements for employees affected by such disasters to help them cope during recovery.
- In the workplace-wellness program, it's crucial to provide resources and counseling for employees dealing with trauma and grief.
- Medical conditions, including chronic diseases, should be considered when creating employment policies to ensure reasonable accommodations.
- In the context of the Ahr Valley flood, it's essential for companies to allow employees to take time off for attending court hearings or meetings with lawyers regarding the disaster.
- Cancers, respiratory conditions, digestive health issues, eye health, hearing, and general health and wellness should be prioritized in company health insurance policies.
- Fitness and exercise programs can be offered in the workplace to promote overall physical health and help employees cope with stress.*family health, autoimmune disorders, mental health, mens' health, and womens' health should be addressed in corporate health programs to cater to diverse needs.
- Skin-care workshops can be arranged for employees in the workplace to promote better personal care and hygiene.
- Therapies and treatments for various medical conditions can be made available through the company's health benefit program.
- Parenting workshops and resources can be offered to support employees with family obligations.
- Cardiovascular health should be a priority in corporate wellness programs due to its prevalence and potential complications.
- Medicare, neurological disorders, skin conditions, general news, crime and justice, and accidents should be considered when creating awareness campaigns within companies to ensure employees are informed and protected.
