Severe flooding has caused devastation in Germany, Belgium, and other European countries.

Flash floods swept through the Swiss villages; however, no loss of life has been reported. In a western German town, several people have died after houses collapsed when the ground beneath them sank suddenly. Over the past days, floods have cut entire communities from power and communications.

In Germany, the death toll rose to more than 150 people last weekend as emergency services continued their search for many hundreds more still missing. In Belgium, 24 people reportedly died, and emergency services in the Netherlands also remained on high alert as overflowing rivers threatened towns and villages.

These floods are Europe¢¥s worst natural disaster in more than half a century.

Difficult words: devastation (the state of serious and widespread damage), death toll (the number of deaths resulting from a particular cause), alert (noticing things and ready to act).