At the Catholic Day in Erfurt, flooding becomes a focus of discussion.
The leader of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Baetzing, extends his sympathies to the people hit by the recent storms, particularly in the south of our nation, who are now cleaning up or still struggling with floods. He urges that lives are preserved and safeguarded, according to Baetzing in Erfurt Cathedral.
10:59 Meckenbeuren districts in Bodenseekreis submerged under waterThe areas of Kehlen and Brochenzell in the municipality of Meckenbeuren in Bodenseekreis are under water. The Schussen river has overflowed its banks and drenched the streets, informs a representative from the local authority. Around 1300 residents voluntarily relocated their homes on Saturday to avoid danger. Some people opted to remain in their houses and sought safety upstairs. The water level of the Schussen reached over 4.86 meters on Saturday night. However, it has been dropping since then. Typically, the Schussen is shallow there, only 45 centimeters deep.
10:34 Bavarian Minster President Söder honors deceased firefighterBavaria's Minster President Markus Söder lifts a tribute to the firefighter who expired during a rescue mission in the Bavarian fr ont he flood-stricken region in a tweet. "His actions and unwavering dedication to his fellow human beings will always be venerated," Söder pens down. "Our tears and minds are for his relatives and coworkers. We all ache." The firefighter, aged 42, perished as per authorities' reports, when a rescue boat flipped over near the towns of Affalterbach and Uttenhofen after hitting an inundated house.
10:09 Ukrainian football team can't train in Nuremberg due to rainfallDue to excessive rainfall, the Ukrainian national soccer team cannot hold their last practice session on Sunday at 6:00 pm at the Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg as was initially planned before the EM installment round in Germany. Instead, they'll train in Erlangen. The choice was made to preserve the grass in the stadium. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian team confirms. The Ukrainian football team faces the German team on Monday (8:45 pm/ARD).
09:52 Munich was already attended to by the fire department over 290 times due to floodingThe Munich metropolitan area faces the consistent heavy rains. Since Saturday at 6:00 am, the fire department has been bombarded with more than 290 interventions. Primarily, the firefighters needed to pump out flooded cellars and underground garages. Besides, several trees were toppled, as the ground had turned rather wet. In the evening of Saturday, the flood warning level 2 of the Isar was surpassed.
09:24 Shock in Anhausen after dam breachesThe water levels in Anhausen are gradually deteriorating after a dam collapsed roughly five kilometers south of the town, leading to a swift water flood. Reports Niklas Diemer, a reporter from ntv, "People who were evacuated from here are gradually making their way back." Nonetheless, the water levels in other locations are still critical.
09:08 The THW deploys additional teams to flood-affected zonesThe Technical Relief Association (THW) will be sending more teams to the flood-damaged regions in southern Germany. A spokesperson explained that more than 1800 individuals are currently providing assistance. These helpers are fortifying dams, helping to fill sandbags, and supporting evacuations in flooded regions. Besides, firefighters and other emergency responders also show up.
08:47 Concern grows in Baden-Württemberg due to persistent floodwatersThe flood predicament in several components of Germany continues to instigate concern. The southern part of the country seems particularly vulnerable to the floodwaters. Relief teams and workers are being pressed to their limits.
08:30 ICE salvage operation will commence in the morningThe ICE train damaged due to a landslide in Baden-Württemberg will be retrieved in the morning. The regional train cannot pass through the affected section of the track, according to a railway representative. A rescue engine will meddle with the recovery on the second track. Information about the duration of the interruption is yet unknown. The regional train has managed to pass through the ICE.
08:16 Person goes missing in SchrobenhausenA person is estimated to be missing in Schrobenhausen. It's assumed that this person was in the basement of a house when the floodwater came. The basement and portions of the upper floor are now submerged, divulges a spokesperson for the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen District Administration. The rescue teams cannot access the house at the moment.
07:44 Firefighter killed during operations in Pfaffenhofen an der IlmA firefighter tragically lost his life in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria. He drowned while on task with three companions in a rescue boat, imparts a representative for the district office early this morning.
In Bavaria, the highest flood alert level 4 has been measured at several points. The main focus is still on the southern tributaries of Donau, such as Günz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Danube. The peak levels were reached during the night. The floodwaters are moving downstream, from Swabia towards Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. Areas potentially affected are Neuburg, Kelheim, and Regensburg. The high wave is expected to hit these regions at the beginning of the week. Rising water levels are expected in Neuburg, Kelheim, Regensburg, as well as Mühlried in the Schrobenhausen district and Manching and Geisenfeld in the Pfaffenhofen district.
At 06:54, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) anticipates more heavy rain in the south. Thunderstorms with heavy rain are predicted from noon on Sunday until Monday night. Streets and cellars may flood again, and local damages from lightning strikes are possible.
In the Augsburg district, at 05:39, the Integrated Control Center is expanding the evacuation calls. Residents of Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen are advised to leave their homes immediately. Buses are being provided for those unable to leave the area on their own. Evacuations are also occurring in other areas. The zones mainly affected are communities near the Schmutter River, a tributary of the Danube.
In Wiesbaden, authorities are taking steps to prevent rising water levels on the Rhine and Main. A flood protection wall was built in the district of Kostheim, while a pump was installed in the Rhine-facing district of Schierstein. Parking lots near the river should be avoided in the coming days.
At 04:04, the railway traffic between Stuttgart and Munich was suspended due to a landslide in the town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. The duration of this interruption could not be estimated by railway authorities. The landslide blocks the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, which had already caused the long-distance train traffic between Ulm and Augsburg to be redirected due to the floods in southern Germany.
From 03:13, the Technical Relief Organization (THW) in Ulm was filling 30,000 sandbags for the flooded and endangered areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The sandbags should be delivered by Sunday night. Currently, 400 sandbags can be filled every hour. Requests for sandbags are coming in from various locations in southwest Germany and neighboring regions. Heavy rain has caused significantly increased water levels at several Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria locations.
Red Cross water rescuers from Unterfranken are being sent to Günzburg at 02:25. These teams will be deployed in the flooded areas of the Günzburg district. The water police from all over Unterfranken have specialized training for flood relief operations. In the Swabian district of Günzburg, water levels have reached those of a flood that occurs statistically once in 100 years.
A landslide caused ICE wagons to derail in the Swabian town of Schwaebisch Gmuend at 01:27. Two wagons of the train with 185 passengers were affected. The passengers sustained no injuries and are being evacuated. The landslide was around 30 meters wide. Train passengers are expected to stay in a nearby kindergarten and then be taken to Pluederhausen by bus.
In a Swabian area close to Schwaebisch Gmuend, a car was affected by a landslide. Reports from local authorities suggest that the driver of the vehicle escaped unharmed. The landslide occurred simultaneously along an adjacent road and railway line. Schwaebisch Gmuend is found roughly 50 kilometers southeast of Stuttgart. Over the previous three days, significant rainfall has been reported in various parts of Baden-Württemberg.
At 14 minutes past midnight, Neu-Ulm crossed its high water mark on the Danube and Iller rivers, surpassing initially predicted estimates. Notwithstanding the high water levels, the dreaded 100-year flood did not occur. The city's mayor, Katrin Albsteiger, noted cautiously, "We won't fully grasp the extent of the damage until the situation stabilizes." Danube and Iller promenades, as well as cycle paths along these waterways, are anticipated to be closed temporarily.
In Munich, the fire department issued a warning about the Isar's potential danger due to heightened water levels. Additionally, two popular hiking routes near the Isar have been closed. The river has reached Meldestufe 2 in Munich, indicating flooding on non-developed areas or traffic congestion due to high waters on the streets.
Approximately 44 minutes past midnight, firefighters and rescue teams in Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria, are preparing to evacuate around 670 people. The district council of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen reported this while crews operated excavators and boats in Muhlried and a Weilach river-adjacent street. The administration had previously implemented an emergency situation response. The risk level in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district is particularly alarming.
At 10:23 PM, numerous fire department interventions were occurring in eastern Thuringia owing to heavy rain and thunderstorms. Gera's control center disclosed the information. In particular, the Ronneburg area of the Greiz district was affected, with flooded roads, fields, and cellars. In addition, a small stream in the Gera district had overflowed.
At 22:45 PM, the German Weather Service (DWD) informed that the amount of rainfall in southern Germany had slightly eased. A DWD meteorologist mentioned that the region would not experience the massive rainfall that it had earlier. However, new showers and thunderstorms were expected to arrive from the north, potentially triggering local flooding on Sunday afternoon. The severe weather systems could be intense and recede slowly. "If they bombard the already saturated soils, flooding will ensue again," he said. The regions facing the possible threat of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday are the Swabian Alb, some northern areas, and regions around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.
Freising's district immediately declared a disaster situation due to flooding caused by overflowing rivers and streams at 22:25 PM. The district administration in the Upper Bavarian municipality intends to inform residents about a potential large-scale flooding on the Amper and Glonn rivers, and the subsequent impact on many nearby settlements. Residents were advised to prepare themselves for such an emergency situation preemptively, such as removing their belongings from cellars. Currently, ten Bavarian districts have declared a disaster situation.
The Dillingen district in Bavaria has also openly proclaimed a disaster situation due to continuous rainfall at 21:50 PM. The situation deteriorated at the Zusam, a Danube tributary, as the administration reported, necessitating assistance from the Bundeswehr. The experts expected a potential 100-year flood for the small river. The authorities have decided to release water from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom to mitigate the flooding, the previous natural flooding location of the river. Despite these preparations, the administration urged local farmers to secure their livestock in safe stables.
Source: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/bayern/hochwasser-nach-regen-wasserretter-evakuieren-670-leute-1.5545322
7:09 Eight communes in Bavaria declare emergency conditions
The district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen declares a state of emergency as the eighth commune in Bavaria. The reason is the overflowing of the Danube and its tributaries, as announced by the Upper Bavarian municipality's administration. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt expects level 4 at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation at the Paar, one of the Danube tributaries, and at the Weilach, which flows into the Paar, is even more dramatic, according to the local administration. In the Schrobenhausen district of Mühldorf, the Weilach has already flooded a residential area. Emergency services are preparing to evacuate residents, as Landrat Peter von der Grün announces. The situation is particularly alarming in the southern part of the district. Von der Grün emphasizes that protecting roads, bridges, and pathways is a top priority. "Only then can the fire brigade continue to serve operations."
18:34 Dangers: Red Cross rescues people from rooftops with helicopter
The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) has rescued two people from the roof of their house in Babenhausen with a helicopter. The two were in a critical situation, says a spokesperson for the BRK. The house in the district of Unterallgäu was at risk of collapsing due to the large water masses. Other people were taken to safety with inflatable boats. The rescue teams managed to save more than 100 people - including numerous children.
18:13 Residents in several places near Augsburg are asked to leave their homes
Water rescuers also released people from their cars, who could not open their doors themselves due to the water masses. According to the spokesperson, this situation can quickly become life-threatening due to the current and rising water in the car.
In several municipalities in the district of Augsburg, residents are asked to leave their homes and apartments because of the severe flooding. It is expected to worsen in the evening in the northern part of the district, says a spokeswoman for the Augsburg district administration. Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf are affected. The government of Swabia has set up temporary accommodations at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
17:48 The Bundeswehr aids flood-stricken areas in Bavaria
Bundeswehr soldiers are assisting in flood relief efforts in Bavaria. "The Bundeswehr is helping the districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, as both districts have submitted an official request," says a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Army Command to the radio station Antenne Bayern. "In the vicinity of Günzburg, blankets and mattresses are being distributed. In the district of Aichach-Friedberg, approximately fifty female and male Bundeswehr soldiers are expected in the coming hours. In addition, two trucks of the Bundeswehr are in use."
17:20 Faeser secures additional support
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser secures additional support for flooded regions in southern Germany. "Due to the heavy, prolonged rain and imminent flooding, the THW is prepared nationwide to deploy more forces," the SPD politician says in Berlin, referring to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW). "We will continue to support the affected federal states with all available forces." According to Faeser, there are currently 520 THW helpers and helpers in service. They are rescuing people, securing dikes, and pumping water. Faeser also praised all the volunteers: "I would like to thank all the helpers very much who are currently fighting against the water masses and are relentlessly on duty to save lives." People living in flood-affected areas in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg should heed the warnings and instructions of the authorities, Faeser said. "Take these warnings seriously!"
16:58 Rescue at Zugspitze: 29 climbers rescued
The climbers in distress at the Zugspitze (see Live Ticker entry at 11:15 AM) have been rescued. 29 people were accompanied by the mountain rescue service to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at Zugspitzplatt, the mountain rescue service reports. Several groups had requested help. They could not continue their ascent due to weather conditions and new snow at about 2500 meters above sea level, about 900 meters before the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue service responded. Employees of the Zugspitzbahn were also on their way with snow groomers to search for the climbers, says a spokeswoman for the Zugspitzbahn.
16:42 Storm warning for parts of Brandenburg
The German Weather Service (DWD) warns of the dangers of heavy thunderstorms in parts of Brandenburg. For the districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree, the second highest warning level is in effect until the evening, the DWD reports. There may be lightning, falling trees or power lines, falling objects, rapid flooding of roads, landslides, or hail.
5:11 PM: Water on the motorway - A3 partially closed in Bavaria
The A3 motorway near Regensburg, Bavaria, has been partially closed for about ten kilometers between exits Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions. The road surface is flooded, according to the local police presidium. A spokesman stated, "The water is pressing onto the motorway from the fields." Local traffic police and firefighters, along with the motorway maintenance crew, are on site. The traffic will be diverted, as per the spokesman.
4:51 PM: Evacuation of a prison in Memmingen, Bavaria
Due to the risk of flooding, the prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, is being evacuated. The news agency Nonstopnews reported that up to 150 inmates will be temporarily relocated to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The main concern is that the Memminger Ach, a small river running in front of the prison, has swelled into a raging stream and poses a significant threat to flood the facility. Parts of the courtyard are already submerged. This could potentially result in a power outage, so the prison management decided on evacuation. The police arrived with numerous emergency vehicles to carry out the evacuation. However, since the access road was already flooded, the evacuation had to be performed over the flooded streets. The fire department assisted with pumps to drain the water from the prison.
4:35 PM: Persistent rain increases water levels in Swabia
The persistent rain has caused several gauges in Swabia to reach level 4, which is considered a flood. In Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, rivers are swelling significantly. According to the flood warning service (HND), river levels in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and several other locations have surpassed warning levels. The Regen in Cham is expected to hit level 4 as well. HND has reported potential hundred-year floods in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar).
The Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is expected to peak at stage 3 on Saturday to Sunday, while the water levels in the lower Iller are already receding. The northern tributaries Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab have individual gauges with level 1 and 2 overflows with a rising tendency. Between Neu-Ulm and Kelheim, the water levels are anticipated to rise to stage 3 for areas such as Gunzburg, Donauwörth, and Neuburg. The Pegel Kelheim is expected to follow. In the further Donau section to Passau, rises to stages 1 and 2 are expected.
4:23 PM: Munich Airport flight operations continue normally
Despite the torrential rain in many parts of Bavaria, flight operations at Munich Airport remain on course. So far, no flights have been cancelled. Various reasons explain this situation. According to airport spokesman Robert Wilhelm, they have observed water standing in the fields adjacent to the airstrips. The airport is also built slightly higher. Furthermore, the runway has been built at a slant towards the sides, allowing water to drain off. The runways are "grooved," meaning they are equipped with grooves that expedite the drainage process. Thus, there is currently no danger of aquaplaning, Wilhelm told Bayern 3. The airport does not anticipate any significant challenges for the rest of the weekend.
4:07 PM: Söder: "We're facing a real crisis now"
Minister President Markus Söder is assessing the situation in the Swabian region, which has been severely impacted by the storm and flooding. He visited Diedorf in the Augsburg district to thank the volunteers and authorities. He described Bavaria as a crisis-tested region. Söder emphasized that the situation is placing an "extreme burden" on the residents. He went on to say, "This is not over yet. We're facing a real crisis now." He urged the rescue services like the fire department, Bavarian Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization: "You're doing an incredible job, you wouldn't be able to manage this without your efforts." He also appealed to the population: "Please adhere to the measures." Evacuation orders should be followed.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=140203413701489350906
16:12 Emergency situation in Unterallgäu - Display a white cloth for assistance
The crisis has now affected the Bavarian district of Unterallgäu. The mobile phone network is partially out of order in the town of Babenhausen. Anyone in need of help and unable to make a distress call should hang a white cloth or sheet out of their window, the district office suggests. Already, people are being rescued from their homes using inflatable boats in Babenhausen.
15:57 400 THW personnel deployed in South Germany
As a result of the storms in South Germany, approximately 400 workers from the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are currently in action. The THW in Bonn confirms this. They are draining water, securing dams, and evacuating individuals in advance. "Due to the persistent and sometimes heavy rain, the THW is prepared to mobilize additional THW forces," the statement says. In the affected regions, mobile water gauge readings will be installed and monitored, the THW adds. "Considering the forecasts for further heavy rain and potential flooding in the coming hours, the THW is preparing to deploy extra THW personnel." Rescue crews are on standby nationwide. Each rescue team consists of around 40 THW personnel who operate three sewage pumps, a generator, an exploration vehicle, and a command post. Each team can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.
15:37 Visualization of all flood warnings on a map
This map showcases all the current flood warnings. The graphics are frequently updated. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=140203413701489350906
15:15 Summary: Stranded climbers below Zugspitze
Apparently, a 26-member mountain climbing group is stranded several hundred meters beneath the Zugspitze peak. According to the Bavarian broadcaster, BR, approximately 60 centimeters of snow have accumulated on the Zugspitze in the prior hours while rain has fallen in the valley. The temperature is below freezing, and visibility is only around 100 meters. Numerous rescue teams have been dispatched to search for the climbers in the blizzard, according to the Bergwacht Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The group is fatigued and possibly not properly equipped. It remains unclear why they chose to attempt climbing the Zugspitze despite the extreme weather prediction.
14:52 The Donau-Ries district declares a disaster situation
The Donau-Ries district in Bavaria has declared a disaster situation. This move aims "to bring all forces together and be better prepared for the anticipated water levels," District Administrator Stefan Roßle explains in a statement. "It is vital to remain calm and avoid low-lying areas as much as possible at this time."
14:20 Breaches in dams near Augsburg - Evacuation plans initiated
A dam and a dike have collapsed in the Swabian district of Augsburg. The district administration reports this. Residents from specific streets in the town of Diedorf must relocate. Preparations are being made for an evacuation in the Anhausen district of Diedorf. "Moving to higher floors is no longer a sufficient alternative." A dam in Burgwalden has failed, and the Anhauser Weiher dike has lost its integrity. All residents in the affected areas should exit their homes immediately and independently within the next hour to the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. The authorities also warn against traveling through railway underpasses, as floods may flow onto them. The risk to life is imminent.
Federal Minister President Söder and Interior Minister Herrmann visit the flood area
Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann journeyed to the flood area in the Swabian district of Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU politicians wish to obtain a first-hand understanding of the flood situation in Diedorf. The visit was rescheduled at the last minute due to the circumstances. Previously, the officials had planned to visit nearby Fischach. In Diedorf, evacuation preparations for residents are currently underway. The flood situation is particularly severe in the Swabian region. In addition to the district of Augsburg, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have declared a disaster situation.
Flood situation in Meckenbeuren intensifies
The flood situation in Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis is becoming increasingly critical. The spokesperson for the municipality announced that the water level of the Schussen river had risen to 4.72 meters in the afternoon. It is hoped that the peak will be attained soon. During the previous flood in 2021, the river rose to 4.50 meters. Typically, it contains 45 centimeters of water. On Friday evening, the municipality recommended that around 1300 people, as a precaution, leave their homes. Most of them stayed with friends or relatives. Only a small number utilized the emergency shelter. To prevent potential damage from flooding, schools, kindergartens, and halls were cleared out ahead of time. In this municipality with 14,000 residents, bridges were also shut down preemptively.Filename: story-paraphrased-1.md
