The World Postgermany-floodsGermany

Germany Pool Photo: Flood Waters Engulf Magdeburg Garden In Surreal Image

LOOK: This German Flood Photo Is Too Surreal
|

As Germany and a large portion of Central Europe deal with devastating floods, photographer Thomas Peter captured this surreal image of a garden and intact swimming pool, inundated by dirty flood waters:

A garden with a swimming pool is inundated by the waters of the Elbe river during floods near Magdeburg in the federal state of Saxony Anhalt, June 10, 2013. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

The image serves as a reminder that no matter how developed a nation may be, Mother Nature often still reigns supreme. At least 22 people have lost their lives in the crisis, and more than and more than 23,000 residents of the German city of Magdeburg were forced to evacuate their homes on Sunday alone.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Floods Pound Central Europe
(01 of87)
Open Image Modal
The roof of a summer cottage mirrors in the flooded area near Doemitz at the river Elbe, northern Germany, Monday June 10, 2013. Weeks of heavy rain this spring have sent the Elbe, the Danube and other rivers such as the Vltava and the Saale overflowing their banks, causing extensive damage in central and southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. (AP Photo/dpa, Jens Buettner) (credit:AP)
(02 of87)
Open Image Modal
In this aerial view a dam is broken in Klein Rosenburg, at the Elbe river, eastern Germany, Sunday June 9, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, Jens Wolf) (credit:AP)
(03 of87)
Open Image Modal
A tram stop is inundated on the lower embankment flooded by the River Danube in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, June 9, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI, Janos Marjai) (credit:AP)
(04 of87)
Open Image Modal
Backdropped by the Royal Palace in the Castle of Buda and the Chain Bridge, trees stand on the lower embankment flooded by the River Danube in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, June 9, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI, Janos Marjai) (credit:AP)
(05 of87)
Open Image Modal
Ducks swim past cars flooded by water from the Arga River in La Magdalena, northern Spain on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Heavy rain has lead to flooding in northern Spain over the past few days, especially in Navarra province. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) (credit:AP)
(06 of87)
Open Image Modal
An aerial view of the flooded River Danube with the Chain Bridge in the foreground and the Parliament building in the background, centre right, in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, June 9, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI, Imre Kmetz) (credit:AP)
(07 of87)
Open Image Modal
The June 5, 2013 photo shows an aerial view of the Elbe river that has flooded the historical old town of Meissen, eastern Germany. (AP Photo/dpa,Patrick Pleul) (credit:AP)
(08 of87)
Open Image Modal
In this aerial view a broken dike is photographed in Fischbeck, Germany at the Elbe river Monday June 10, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, JensWolf) (credit:AP)
(09 of87)
Open Image Modal
In this aerial view the village of Fischbeck is flooded by the Elbe river after a dike broke Monday June 10, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa,Jens Wolf) (credit:AP)
(10 of87)
Open Image Modal
A man stands in front of his house which is flooded by the water of the Danube river in Fischerdorf near Deggendorf, southern Germany, on June 11, 2013. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of87)
Open Image Modal
Local volunteers help to stack sandbags to strengthen a flood barrier against encroaching floodwaters from the nearby Elbe river on June 11, 2013 at Sandau, Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of87)
Open Image Modal
A hover craft boat drives in a flooded area by the river Elbe near the enclosed village Fischbeck, central Germany, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:AP)
(13 of87)
Open Image Modal
In this June, 3, 2013 file photo a flooded enclosure with a penguin is pictured in the zoo in Prague, Czech Republic. (AP Photo/CTK, Katerina Sulova, File) (credit:AP)
(14 of87)
Open Image Modal
A measuring stick shows the level of floodwaters at just under 10 meters next to a marker that shows the level reached during the 100-year-flood of 2002 in a street flooded by the nearby Elbe river in the historic city center on June 6, 2013 in Meissen, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of87)
Open Image Modal
Rescue workers in a rubber boat pass through streets flooded by the nearby Elbe river in the historic city center on June 6, 2013 in Meissen, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(16 of87)
Open Image Modal
People fleeing their homes as the flood waters rose take refuge in a sports hall used as makeshift accomodations in Bitterfeld, eastern Germany, on June 6, 2013. (ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(17 of87)
Open Image Modal
Water of the swollen Elbe river churns past the historic city center of Dresden, Germany on June 6, 2013. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(18 of87)
Open Image Modal
A beer garden stands under floodwaters of the swollen Elbe river in the city center of Dresden, Germany on June 6, 2013. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(19 of87)
Open Image Modal
Rescue forces in a lifeboat help residents in a house flooded by the swollen Danube river, while a small spotter-aircraft is flying over Fischerdorf, a suburb of the city Deggendorf, Germany on June 6, 2013. (Photo by Joerg Koch/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(20 of87)
Open Image Modal
An aerial view shows a motorway junction partially flooded by water from the River Danube near the Bavarian village Deggendorf, southern Germany, on June 6, 2013. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(21 of87)
Open Image Modal
An aerial view shows summer houses flooded by water from the River Danube near the Bavarian village Deggendorf, southern Germany, on June 6, 2013. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of87)
Open Image Modal
Neighbors visit one another in a street flooded by the nearby Elbe river in the historic city center of Meissen, Germany on June 6, 2013. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(23 of87)
Open Image Modal
An aerial view shows flooding at Bratislava's harbor and shopping district on the Danube river on June 6, 2013. (SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(24 of87)
Open Image Modal
A helper cleans the bank of the river Elbe in front of the historical bridge Blaues Wunder (Blue Miracle), left, in Dresden, eastern Germany, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:AP)
(25 of87)
Open Image Modal
Geese stand on the roof of a flooded house by the river Danube in Deggendorf, southern Germany, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, Armin Weigel) (credit:AP)
(26 of87)
Open Image Modal
The flooded river Elbe in front of the historical old town skyline in Dresden, eastern Germany, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:AP)
(27 of87)
Open Image Modal
A resident reacts in front of a flooded house at the river Elbe in Dresden, eastern Germany, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:AP)
(28 of87)
Open Image Modal
A child runs over a wall of sandbags at the river Elbe in Dresden, eastern Germany, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:AP)
(29 of87)
Open Image Modal
The flooded river Elbe flows along the valley and the historical bridge Blaues Wunder (Blue Miracle) photographed in Dresden, eastern Germany, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:AP)
(30 of87)
Open Image Modal
The street sign "Danube avenue" is flooded by the swollen River Danube in Budakalasz, just north of Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, June 6, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI,Balazs Mohai) (credit:AP)
(31 of87)
Open Image Modal
An aerial view of the flooding in Passau, Germany, photographed Monday June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, Peter Kneffel) (credit:AP)
(32 of87)
Open Image Modal
The floods of the river Elbe submerge a sports ground in Pirna, eastern Germany, on June 4, 2013. (JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(33 of87)
Open Image Modal
Three men stand behind wooden panels erected to protect a restaurant against the floods of the river Elbe in Pirna, eastern Germany, on June 4, 2013. (JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(34 of87)
Open Image Modal
German soldiers shovel mud off a street in Passau, Germany, Tuesday June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa,Andreas Gebert) (credit:AP)
(35 of87)
Open Image Modal
An aerial view of the village Kresice flooded by the swollen river Elbe, 63 kilometres (39 miles) northwest of Prague on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/CTK, Radek Petrasek) (credit:AP)
(36 of87)
Open Image Modal
Photo provided by the German government shows German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a helicopter as she watches the areas hit by floods between Dresden and Pirna, eastern Germany, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Bundesregierung, Steffen Kugler) (credit:AP)
(37 of87)
Open Image Modal
Restaurants are flooded on an Danube island after heavy rainfalls in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Hans Punz) (credit:AP)
(38 of87)
Open Image Modal
A traffic sign looks out of the water in a flooded street of the city of Pirna, Germany, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. ( AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
(39 of87)
Open Image Modal
An aerial view of highways crossing fields flooded by the swollen river Vltava in southern suburbs of Prague on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/CTK, Vit Simanek) (credit:AP)
(40 of87)
Open Image Modal
Two firemen cross a street in the village Zalezlice flooded by river Vltava, 36 kilometres (22 miles) north of Prague on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/CTK, Michal Kamaryt) (credit:AP)
(41 of87)
Open Image Modal
Aerial view of the swollen River Danube at Csepel Island, in Southern Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/MTI,Tibor Illyes) (credit:AP)
(42 of87)
Open Image Modal
This picture made available Tuesday June 4, 2013, shows an aerial view of the swollen Vltava river and a flooded house near Stare Ouholice village near Kralupy nad Vltavou, about 35 km (21.7 miles) north of Prague, taken on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/CTK, Vit Simanek) (credit:AP)
(43 of87)
Open Image Modal
Harbour buildings are flooded along the Danube river in Deggendorf, Germany Tuesday June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, Armin Weigel) (credit:AP)
(44 of87)
Open Image Modal
Rudolf (11) crosses the flooded market place of the city of Wehlen at river Elbe, Germany, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
(45 of87)
Open Image Modal
The market place is flooded by the river Elbe in the city of Wehlen, Germany, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
(46 of87)
Open Image Modal
Two people watch waters falling down the Vltava river cascade on the Orlik Dam, some 40 kilometers south of Prague, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. About 1600 cubic meters of water per second were flowing from the cascade towards Prague, until the outflow was regulated and lowered gradually. (AP Photo/CTK, David Veis) (credit:AP)
(47 of87)
Open Image Modal
Two men in a boat paddle over the flooded market place of the city of Wehlen at the river Elbe in Germany, Tuesday, June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:AP)
(48 of87)
Open Image Modal
General view of Passau, flooded by the rising River Danube on June 3, 2013 in Passau, Lower Bavaria, Germany. Heavy rains across portions of Germany are causing flooding and ruining crops, with the town of Passau, also known as Dreifluessestadt or 'City of Three Rivers' particularly affected by flooding from its proximity to rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(49 of87)
Open Image Modal
A general view shows the town hall in the flooded center of Passau, southern Germany, Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(50 of87)
Open Image Modal
Members of the Red Cross make their way by boats in a flooded street in the center of Passau, southern Germany, Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(51 of87)
Open Image Modal
A general view shows the flooded center of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(52 of87)
Open Image Modal
Members of the Red Cross make their way by boats in the flooded street in the centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(53 of87)
Open Image Modal
A man tries to secure a house in the flooded centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(54 of87)
Open Image Modal
A man makes his way through the flooded centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(55 of87)
Open Image Modal
A street sign is flooded in the centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(56 of87)
Open Image Modal
Members of the Red Cross use a boat to evacuate people on a flooded street in the centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(57 of87)
Open Image Modal
A street sign is flooded in the centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(58 of87)
Open Image Modal
Members of the Red Cross make their way by boats in the flooded street in the centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(59 of87)
Open Image Modal
Women look out their window in the flooded centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(60 of87)
Open Image Modal
The centre of Passau, southern Germany, is flooded on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(61 of87)
Open Image Modal
A Red Cross member talks to residents from his boat in the flooded centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(62 of87)
Open Image Modal
A hotel entrance sign is flooded in the centre of Passau, southern Germany, on Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(63 of87)
Open Image Modal
A Red Cross worker pulls a boat through the flooded centre of Passau, southern Germany, Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(64 of87)
Open Image Modal
People walk through the flooded centre of Passau, southern Germany, Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(65 of87)
Open Image Modal
People stand in the flooded centre of Passau, southern Germany, Monday, June 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (credit:AP)
(66 of87)
Open Image Modal
Rescue workers pass on a boat through the overflooded old city of Passau, southern Germany, on June 3, 2013. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(67 of87)
Open Image Modal
Three men in a boat make their way in an overflooded street in Passau, southern Germany, on June 3, 2013 as parts of the eastern and southern Germany were flooded due to heavy and ongoing rainfalls. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(68 of87)
Open Image Modal
The rivers Inn (back) and Danube flood the old city of Passau, southern Germany, on June 3, 2013. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(69 of87)
Open Image Modal
Water runs out of a firehose in the historic city center on June 3, 2013 in Passau, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(70 of87)
Open Image Modal
A helper stacks sandbags in an alley of the historic city center of Passau, Germany on June 3, 2013. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(71 of87)
Open Image Modal
Parked cars are flooded by the rising Danube river in the historic city center of Passau, Germany, on June 3, 2013. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(72 of87)
Open Image Modal
A young man paddles on his inflatable mattress through the flooded streets in the historic city center of Passau, Germany on June 3, 2013. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(73 of87)
Open Image Modal
Spectators look at the overflooded old city of Passau, southern Germany, on June 3, 2013 as parts of the eastern and southern Germany were flooded due to heavy and ongoing rainfalls. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(74 of87)
Open Image Modal
A man paddles through a overflooded street in Passau, southern Germany, on June 3, 2013. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(75 of87)
Open Image Modal
A road sign forbids pedestrians to enter a road flooded by the rising river Inn on June 3, 2013 in Passau, Lower Bavaria, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(76 of87)
Open Image Modal
Firefighters stack sandbags at the base of a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(77 of87)
Open Image Modal
A helper drives a wheel loader with sandbags to a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(78 of87)
Open Image Modal
Firefighters take a break at the base of a dyke after strengthening it against the rising Gera river on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(79 of87)
Open Image Modal
A helper stack sandbags at the base of a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(80 of87)
Open Image Modal
A helper drives a wheel loader with sandbags to a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(81 of87)
Open Image Modal
A flower grows between sandbags at the base of a dyke built against the rising Gera river on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(82 of87)
Open Image Modal
Barrows with sandbags stand on the top of a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(83 of87)
Open Image Modal
A helicopter bring sandbags at the base of a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(84 of87)
Open Image Modal
Firefighters stack sandbags at the base of a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(85 of87)
Open Image Modal
A firefighter stands on sandbags at the base of a dyke to strengthen it against the rising Gera river and to prevent flooding on June 1, 2013 near Soemmerda, Germany. (Jens Schlueter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(86 of87)
Open Image Modal
Helpers clean a flooded bar in the inner city of Passau in Germany, Tuesday June 4, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa,Karl-Josef Hildenbrand) (credit:AP)
(87 of87)
Open Image Modal
A house stands in a flooded area by river Elbe in the enclosed village Fischbeck, central Germany, Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Weeks of heavy rain this spring have sent the Elbe, the Danube and other rivers such as the Vltava and the Saale overflowing their banks, causing extensive damage in central and southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip