Since of demolition of the De Maasland Café earlier this month, just 1 house in the the hamlet of Herbricht, in Lanaken (Limburg Province) is inhabited. In 1993 Herbricht had 37 residents, now there are just 2. Jo and Mariet Eurlings are the last people to remain in Hebricht and they say that they have no plans to leave.
The last two residents of Maas floodplain hamlet have no plans to leave Herbricht
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32 years ago, in 1993 the riverside hamlet of Herbricht had 37 residents. Jo and Mariet Eurlings have seen their neighbours leave one by one.
The serious flooding when the River Maas burst its banks in 1993, 1995 and 2021 certainly will have played an important role in the exodus as will a decision by the Flemish regional authorities that banned buildings from being located on the winter floodplain of the River Maas.
This led to numerous buildings, including the Overzet Café in Meeswijk (Maasmechelen) and the Het Molenveld Café in Stokkem.
Gradual depopulation
Initially, the residents of Herbricht were also told to leave. However, this was modified to a scenario whereby those that were already there could remain, but no new houses are allowed to be built.
Over the past few years many residents have left Herbricht. Following the floods in the summer of 2021, the landlord of the De Maasvallei Café decided that enough is enough. He decided not reopen his bar and earlier this month the building that once housed the café was demolished. Jo Eurlings told VRT News that “The heart of Herbricht has disappeared, certainly now Café De Maasvallei has been demolished”. Café De Maasvallei was a cyclists’ café that was popular on both sides of the River Maas.
"Now when you drive into Herbricht there is nothing. We used to sometimes pop into the café if the lights were still on”. Rudi was also a walking newspaper”.
2021 flood was frightening
Jo Eurlings told VRT News that the 2021 flood was exceptional. “The Maas flooded like it had never done before. This time water did not come from below, but directly from the Maas towards us. Half a meter of water came rushing towards us. It reached a height of 38 centimeters in our house, which was quite frightening.”
Nevertheless, Jo and Mariet are staying put and have no plans to leave Herbricht anytime soon. “As long as we can get around by car, we'll stay and keep Herbricht going.”
Herbricht is an attractive place in which to live. Recently Jo heard on TV that the most attractive places to live are places that sometimes experience flooding. He agrees 100%.
“When I go outside here, I have a beautiful view. I can also see how high the Maas is. Of course, I hope it doesn't flood again, but I don't think I would leave if it did.”
Horses keep Jo and Mariet in Herbricht
Jo has 6 horses, and they are the reason that he wants to remain in Herbricht. " Here you don’t have to worry about anyone saying, for example, that the horses stink. The horses’ stable has never flooded either. In 2021 the water was 8cm away from the stable. So the horses aren’t in any danger”.
Jo says that if the horse horses are no longer ok he will leave. However, his connection to Herbricht is clearly strong. Jo told VRT News that when he dies, he wants his ashes to be scattered in Herbricht.