Germany Ahr Valley flood 2021: a social and mental health perspective of older adults (65+) experiences

• Older adults showed anxiety, depression, and PTSD three years after the flood. • Spatial mapping identified mental and social health hotspots in flood-hit zones. • Women reported greater flood exposure and emotional distress than men. • Community ties helped sustain social support despite information loss. This study investigates the social and mental health impacts of the 2021 Ahr Valley flood in Germany on older adults (aged 65+). We used a mixed-methods approach, combining household surveys, spatial GIS analysis, qualitative in-depth interviews, and group discussions with older adults, physicians, nurses, and social service providers. Mental health was assessed using the PHQ-4 and PC-PTSD-5, while social health was measured through adapted Likert scales on belonging, social support, and information access. Spatial analysis in ArcGIS Pro used self-reported flood depth data and secondary sources, applying inverse distance weighting and kernel density estimation to map perceived flooding and related health outcomes. Three years after the flood, 47% of older adults screened positive for anxiety, 38% for depression, and 39% for PTSD. Women reported slightly greater flood exposure than men. Social health scores were not statistically significant, but indicated strong place attachment and social support, and insufficient information flow during the disaster. Spatial analysis revealed clear hotspots of mental and social health challenges in severely affected areas like Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler and Dernau, and captured indoor flood water heights. For many, the Ahr Valley was not merely a geographic space but a social and emotional anchor that embodied their identity and life history. The study bridges environmental, social, and mental dimensions of disaster impact, providing evidence for more context-sensitive, community-based interventions. The findings contribute to European flood research by addressing knowledge gaps. We suggest a future need for longitudinal, interdisciplinary designs that capture older adults’ vulnerability and resilience after climate-related disasters.