Secretary of State Francine Closener visiting the Mullerthal region hit by extreme flooding on 1 June 2018; Credit: MECO

On Tuesday 5 June 2018, Luxembourg's Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, traveled to Mullerthal and Grundhof to get a concrete idea of ​​the damage suffered by local companies - understood to be around 20 in number - during extreme weather experienced in the early hours of Friday 1 June 2018.

This visit aimed at noting the extent of the necessary repair work in the affected businesses, as well as the numerous hiking trails, and informing campgrounds, hotels, restaurants and businesses of the steps to be taken to obtain financial assistance from the part of the Ministry of Economy to repair the damage and replace the damaged equipment.

Companies concerned are invited to send to the Ministry of the Economy and their insurance a quantified inventory of the damage suffered. On the basis of the quotations provided and according to the share of the costs borne by the insurance, the Ministry will then be able to pay a first financial aid to cover up to a maximum of €200,000 the estimated costs. The actual damages will subsequently be borne in full on presentation of the related invoices thanks to the provisions of the aid intended to remedy the damage caused by certain natural disasters. This aid measure was initiated following the severe floods experienced in the Ernz Valley in July 2016. This particular aid was included in the draft law on the aid scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises.

After the visit, Secretary of State Closener said: "In view of a possible quick and unbureaucratic compensation, it is essential to have a detailed report as detailed as possible of the damages suffered by craft and commercial enterprises as well as tourist establishments. For the moment, the list of companies affected includes about twenty companies. I invite other companies that have not yet done so to contact my staff at the Ministry of the Economy to obtain more information on all the aid measures available."

The companies concerned can contact Laurent Solazzi of the Ministry of the Economy (Tel: 247-84168 / 621-203021 / E-mail: laurent.solazzi@eco.etat.lu), where they will be informed on the steps to start and on the available support measures.

On a related note, the Crisis Cell was disbanded earlier in the day as it had achieved its mission.