The big interview

Where do you get your strength from, Mr. Fidler?

The flood came and inundated farmer Bernhard Fidler's farm and fields.(Bild: Imre Antal)

The flood inundated his farm and the fields, a hundred bulls and calves were up to their necks in water. Like hundreds of others, Bernhard Fidler, a farmer from Rust in the Tullnerfeld, has to start all over again. He told his story to the "Krone" newspaper.

A week after the flood disaster, the community of 485 people to the west of Tulln still resembles a field of rubble. Fire engines and army emergency vehicles line the streets. In front of the houses are beds, washing machines and skips full of everything that used to be part of everyday life and is now bulky waste. Everywhere there is shoveling and clearing. The motors of the pumps and high-level cleaners are running at full speed. Just like the villagers, the emergency services and the many volunteers.

Everything under water: the Fidler family's farm in Rust in the Tullnerfeld, one week after the flood(Bild: Imre Antal)

"The clean-up work will take many more weeks," says Bernhard Fidler.(Bild: Imre Antal)

"Krone": Mr. Fidler, we are sitting here in the middle of furniture, machines and vehicles in the courtyard of your farm. Can it all still be saved?