Merkel calls flooding a catastrophe, promises government help

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the deadly flooding in her homeland a catastrophe on Thursday and said she was working with the nation's finance and interior ministers to determine how the government can get help to those that need it.

Merkel, on a visit to Washington, told reporters that many countries have expressed solidarity and offered help. "Here in Washington, my thoughts are also always with the people in our homeland," she said.