Europe's worst floods in decades: Aerial pictures show scale of devastation

Devastating floods have torn through entire villages and killed at least 128 people in Europe, most of them in western Germany where stunned emergency services were still combing the wreckage. Unsuspecting residents were caught completely off guard by the torrent dubbed as the "flood of death". Streets and houses were submerged in water in some areas while cars were left overturned on soaked streets after flood waters passed. Some districts were completely cut off.

This aerial view taken in Valkenburg shows the houses inundated due to heavy rains. Credit: AFP Photo

An aerial photo shows areas near Meuse submerged in rain water. The death toll from the devastating floods in Europe soared to at least 126, most in western Germany where emergency responders were frantically searching for missing people. Credit: AFP Photo

An aerial view shows the destruction in the pedestrian area of Bad Muenstereifel, western Germany, after heavy rain hit parts of the country causing widespread flooding. Credit: AFP Photo

An aerial view shows the damaged Steinbach hydrolic dam in Euskirchen, western Germany. Credit: AFP Photo

An aerial photo shows a man walking on the bridge over the Meuse. Credit: AFP Photo

The flooded area around the Meuse in Valkenburg, the Netherlands. Credit: AFP Photo

The flooded area around the Meuse after a levee of the Juliana Canal broke in Brommelen. Credit: AFP Photo

An aerial photo shows the flooded area around the Meuse in Valkenburg. Credit: AFP Photo

Aerial view taken in Brommelen shows the flooded area around the Meuse after the Juliana Canal broke. Credit: AFP Photo

An aerial photo of the Maas/Meuse river in Maaseik, northern Belgium, where the situation remains critical as the water keep rising after the heavy rainfall of the previous days. Credit: AFP Photo