Rems-Murr district declares end to disaster pre-alert status.
The Rems-Murr-Kreis Land Office has called off the disaster alert. The flooding issue in the district has improved, the authority confirmed. During the pre-disaster alert, disaster relief workers were ready. Retention basins are now slowly being released under control.
17:49 Lauffen: Sewage floods city centerA mix of feces, oil, drug residues, and other waste is flooding Lauffen am Neckar's city center, fields, and a playground. The Lauffen city building department confirmed that the sludgy layer comes from the sewage system. The sewage treatment plant and sewer system are overloaded due to the extreme flooding situation.
17:28 Austria shuts down Danube shippingThe entire length of the Danube in Austria is closed for shipping. The state waterway authority "via donau" announced this. "At a certain water level, safety is not guaranteed," says Christoph Caspar, spokesperson for "via donau". The duration of this measure depends on further rainfall and the tributary's water volumes. The Danube runs through Austria for 350 kilometers, from the Bavarian border city of Passau to the Slovakian main and border city of Bratislava. Due to the suspension, some cruise ships must dock in Linz where the Danube overflows its banks. There are also road closures. In Schärding, located on the Danube tributary Inn, flood protection is being increased to avoid larger flooding.
17:04 Police rescue woman after 52 hours in treeIn the Bavarian flood area, a 32-year-old woman had been stuck in a tree for more than 52 hours. With the help of a drone, the woman was found in the Swabian Neu-Ulm area near Silberwald and was rescued by helicopter, report police in Kempten. She had been missing since Sunday.
16:55 "Two more days of tension" in Regensburg Tensions remain high in Regensburg. Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer describes the city's flood situation as tense. "We still have another two days of real tension, real concern, that what we have built here for flood protection on the islands will hold," says Maltz-Schwarzfischer in the afternoon during a visit by Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder in the Upper Palatinate. "The soils on the Donauinseln are really wet, wet, swampy, like jelly. That means the situation is still tense." The Danube's water level is high, but hasn't dropped yet. Söder says that Regensburg is "experienced, professional, well-prepared for flood protection", but the anchors of the facilities are being pushed against by the groundwater, making them wobbly.
16:31 Grimma sets up against the flood with a huge concrete wallBefore the completion of its restored old town, Grimma was hit by a historic flood in 2002. To prevent the city in Saxony from being flooded again, various safety measures are being implemented. One of them is a massive concrete wall that goes deep into the ground.
16:17 Rhineland-Palatinate's flood situation easingThe flood situation in Rhineland-Palatinate is gradually improving. While the water levels are still rising at the Middle Rhine and some areas on the Upper Rhine, the Rhineland-Palatinate Flood Forecasting Center of the State Environment Agency predicts they will reach their peak levels in the evening and on Wednesday. After that, they should drop at the Upper Rhine until at least Sunday and at the Middle Rhine until at least the coming weekend. The water level at the Maxau gauge will rise slightly again by Wednesday morning. However, it will fall at Mannheim. The gauge at Worms has already reached its peak level, while it is expected to reach that level in Mainz on Tuesday evening or overnight. The gauge at Kaub is also expected to reach its peak level on Wednesday. In Koblenz, the flood protection measures will remain in place for now, as the city reports. The Mosel gauge has dropped slightly. The Forecasting Center, however, expects a high level at the Koblenz gauge only on Wednesday morning. It is expected to be slightly below a two-year high, at between 570 and 590 centimeters.
15:52 Pasau's Donau Falls Below Ten-Meter Mark AgainAfter the Donau gauge in Passau reached ten meters according to the Flood Warning Service (HND) at noon, it has now dropped again. At 3:50 pm, it's 9.93 meters. Previously, the city had declared a disaster situation due to the expected worsening of the flood situation, as well as Regensburg and several other districts. This allows for better coordination of rescue efforts.
15:26 After heavy rainfall: Flood warning in southern PolandFlood warning has been issued in southern Poland after heavy rainfall.
Due to torrential rain in Poland, portions of Bielsko-Biala, Silesia are submerged. The city's mayor has issued a flood alert, as per news agency PAP. The fire department has carried out above 700 interventions since dawn. Numerous basements and plots of land are flooded. The water is obstructing two railway tracks at the nearby station, resulting in trains being shifted to different tracks, and some lines being shut down. The city archive and the public transit organization's bus depot are also flooded. Online platform "Onet.pl" shares video clips showcasing submerged streets, traffic circles, and a bridge. In the region's rivers, the water level is surging, and at five locations, the regional government's crisis center has declared a crisis status. The meteorologists from the national weather service predict more heavy downpours today.
14:59 Diverse number of missing persons: Interior Ministry states many missing following floods in Bavaria
Several individuals are missing in Bavaria's flooded areas as per the Interior Ministry in Munich. A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry shares that the number of missing individuals was seven in the morning, five mid-morning, and six in the early afternoon. Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) had earlier revealed during a cabinet meeting in the morning that there were a total of up to seven missing persons. The situation is "extremely volatile," a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry notes. People who have already reported to authorities on-site might not be included in the current count if their reports haven't been forwarded to the situation center in Munich yet. "The accurate figures are thus not very dependable," the spokesperson adds. One of the missing is a firefighter in Swabia. The 22-year-old boat capsized with other first responders in Offingen. The others managed to rescue themselves.
14:45 Söder: Bavaria flood scenario remains "serious and critical"
The flood situation in Bavaria remains "serious and critical" as per Prime Minister Markus Söder. In Regensburg and Passau, the anticipated peak of the Danube is yet to occur, Söder mentions after a cabinet meeting in Munich. "We're going to stay alert." In the past few days, over 60,000 individuals have contributed to flood relief efforts in Bavaria, Söder notes. At least 6,600 evacuations were necessary. The cabinet observed a moment of silence for the three reported casualties. Söder also talks about "up to seven unaccounted-for individuals, which might increase." The government empathizes with the victims. "Their suffering is our suffering too." Hopefully, the upcoming two days will be managed well in terms of the flood situation.
14:24 Kretschmann: Baden-Württemberg prepared for floods: "We don't take this matter lightly"
The Baden-Württemberg government considers itself well-prepared for the floods caused by the recent heavy rainfall. "We've been getting ready for this for a long time, and we've been taking action for a long time," says Minister President Winfried Kretschmann in Stuttgart to reporters. "We don't treat this event casually, as we've been treating it for a long time," he adds. The efficient response by emergency services has avoided a major mishap, such as a power plant collapse. Kretschmann requests a general natural disaster liability insurance. "It's essential," he emphasizes. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann continues to reject the implementation of such insurance. Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister, Thekla Walker, demands routine checks of existing protective measures. "We need to stay on top of it," she says. The fact that two lives have been lost in Baden-Württemberg is unfortunate. While the German Insurance Association opposes compulsory insurance for floods. (see 13:00 entry)
13:57 Danube water level at 10 meters: Passau declares emergency situation
The Bavarian city of Passau has declared a state of emergency due to the anticipated intensification of the flood situation. Around 13:30, the water level of the Danube, as per the flood warning service (HND), stands at ten meters. Meanwhile, the Inn's peak is supposed to reach the city shortly. Due to heavy rain on Monday, the city anticipates a water level exceeding seven meters in the area. Multiple streets and squares in Passau are already closed due to the flood. Classes have been canceled. Bus traffic is disrupted, connections to the old town halted. The inner and old city sectors are affected. The city warns against entering flooded regions. Avoid the entire flood zone. Passau is a confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. The flood scenario in Bavaria is escalating along the Danube.
13:13 Bathing suit: Woman goes swimming in flood - in a pedestrian underpass
In Stuttgart, a woman decided to go for a swim during the floods, wearing her bathing outfit. She swam in the submerged streets of a pedestrian underpass.
A female swam in the flooded underpass of a pedestrian area in Deggendorf, Lower Bavaria. The local authorities spotted her during a routine check on Monday night and pulled her out of the water. Remarking on the incident, a city representative stated that many individuals were violating safety barriers to take pictures of the flooding. Such actions are becoming increasingly common, as per City Fire Inspector Tim Rothenwöhrer, who hasn't witnessed an incident like this before. He urged citizens to comply with the bathing ban and urged patience as they await the opening of local beaches next week.
For the insurance industry, the floods in southern Germany will result in substantial losses. Jörg Asmussen, Managing Director of the German Insurance Association (GDV), says floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg will have significant damage. The insurers have already received numerous reports of damages. However, it is too early to estimate the total cost. In the past, insurers suffered a loss of around 200 million euros due to the flooding in Saarland. Asmussen opposes further governmental attempts to introduce compulsory insurance against floods, saying that it was not a market-driven solution. Instead, the focus should be on building restrictions in hazardous areas and constructing superior dams. This, he believes, would help to break the cycle of escalating losses and premiums for insurers.
After the devastating floods, the Bavarian government intends to provide financial support to affected individuals in the amount of at least 100 million euros and more. This relief package is intended for both private homes and businesses, self-employed people, and farmers. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder emphasized that they would quickly and efficiently help people in distress. He also requested that the federal government fulfills its promises to offer flood relief. According to the Bavarian aid programs, households could be granted up to 5,000 euros in emergency aid, while residential buildings could receive up to 10,000 euros - with any insurance claims deducted. Should the situations become critical, up to 100% of the damage would be compensated. Companies and businesses could claim between 5,000 and 200,000 euros in emergency aid. If they had insurance coverage, the aid amounts would be adjusted accordingly.
The water level of the Danube in Passau is near the ten-meter mark (9.95 meters). This level already caused some flooding in Passau earlier in the day. The forecast assumed the water level would drop to 9.50 meters in the afternoon, but it has already exceeded that. Once the water level reaches 8.50 meters, further flooding would occur.
The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued a rain warning for southern Germany, but it is unlikely to cause significant issues. No areas affected by the previous floods are expected to experience severe rainfall until Thursday. The temperatures in Northern Germany will remain about 20 degrees while the rest of the country has averages ranging from 21-26 degrees. At night, temperatures will often fall below 10 degrees. During the week, there will be occasional rain and thunderstorms but nothing like the prior torrential downpours. DWD meteorologist Robert Hausen is optimistic but advises caution, hoping that the water levels would have subsided by then.
In the flood-stricken areas of Bavaria, the flood situation remains tense as water levels remain high. Thankfully, there are no further forecasts for heavy rainfall that could cause more flooding, and some areas are expected to see their water levels drop significantly. The focus is currently on the Danube. The situation on the Danube is said to be improving, as the water levels of its tributaries are also decreasing. At Ingolstadt, the highest alert level 4 is anticipated to reach its peak in the evening. In Kelheim, only minimal increases are expected within alert level 4, which is similar to the flood in August 2005. In Passau, it is expected that the water level will be below the 2002 flood level. Initially, a level close to the 2002 century flood was predicted, but the Danube section from Kelheim to Passau will still have high water levels until Wednesday.
In the aftermath of the flooding, authorities report a fifth flood-related death. A lady in Markt Rettenbach, Bavaria, accidentally drove her car into the water on Monday and later succumbed to her injuries. The police discovered her car "almost completely submerged". She had ignored a barricade and driven onto a flood-soaked state road. After calling for help, her car was submerged, and she could not be rescued. The authorities suspect a tragic accident. So far, four deaths have been reported due to the flood.
The partially closed Autobahn 9 due to a dam breach in Upper Bavaria has been reopened without restrictions. The police had temporarily closed the section between Ingolstadt-South and Langenbruck on Monday, allowing only 300 vehicles to pass through. Other roads in the region, such as B16 between Manching and Ernsgaden, remained closed due to flooding.
Due to heavy rainfall, Germany's most significant waterway, the Rhine, is navigable in some parts. A spokesperson for the Rhine Waterways and Shipping Office stated, "Shipping has come to a standstill on the Middle and Upper Rhine." At first, only the Upper Rhine was closed in areas like Maxau, Mannheim, and Worms. Now, sections of the Middle Rhine are also affected, including Mainz and Bingen. The ships are docked or awaiting lower water levels to continue. The peak could be achieved later in the day or in the evening in the area around Bingen.
In South Germany, further train disruptions are ongoing for several lines. The Deutsche Bahn cannot operate some lines in regional and long-distance traffic. Four lines are affected by the train disruptions: Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich, Donauwörth and Augsburg on the Nuremberg-Donauwörth-Augsburg-Munich line, Buchloe and Memmingen on the Munich-Memmingen-Lindau line, and the entire Ulm-Memmingen-Kempten line. In summary, Munich cannot be reached from the west and north. However, the Bahn advises against train journeys to South Germany. Other lines experience individual failures and delays: Munich-Nuremberg-Erfurt-Berlin, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Ulm, Augsburg-Munich, Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt(M), Munich-Lindau-Bregenz-Zurich, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Crailsheim-Nuremberg, Augsburg-Kempten(Allgäu)-Oberstdorf, and Nuremberg-Würzburg.
The search for a missing firefighter continues using drones and helicopters. When the firefighter disappeared, he was trying to rescue people stranded by the flooding. Three firefighters had gone into a house, and the fourth stayed outside to call for help. They became cut off as the waters rose. Nearby fire departments are helping in the search using helicopters, drones, and boats. Rescue divers have also arrived. The firefighter still missing is 52-year-old Werner Neubauer, fire chief of Kindelberg's emergency team.
Meanwhile, residents stay vigilant as flash floods are possible in many areas. In Augsburg, people in low-lying areas are being evacuated. The flood situation is also a concern for farmers in Bavaria, who fear losing their livestock because of the torrential rains. More than 350,000 people had to be evacuated initially, but the number has decreased as water levels recede. The flooding has caused damage to more than 500 roads, and 80 structures were completely destroyed. Extensive damage was also reported in songs, houses, and residential buildings. The Bavarian Red Cross helped many victims and volunteers.
Police update: Search for missing firefighter continues in Swabia, not in water
The hunt for a missing firefighter in flood-hit Swabia is ongoing, as per police information. But the search isn't taking place in the rushing waters. Police representative Holger Stabik revealed that the current is too powerful for rescuers to enter the water. The search will instead be conducted on land and from above using drones and a helicopter. The missing firefighter, 22 years old, is believed to have drowned. If the young man perished, he would become the fifth victim of the floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
9:38 Police corrects report: Missing firefighter search still active
The search for a missing firefighter in the flooded region of Swabia continues. The police have corrected their initial statement which asserted the end of the search (see earlier news at 6:22 am). The 22-year-old firefighter had been with a boat from the DLRG lifeguard service in Offingen near the Baden-Württemberg border. The boat, operated by five rescue personnel between the ages of 24 to 70, capsized in strong currents. Four team members managed to reach shore safely and remained unharmed.
8:45 Regensburg mayor warns against high-water tourism
The mayor of Regensburg, Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, cautions against high-water tourism. "We already have a lot of tourists, but now the locals are also on the move. Please don't go and look, see what's happening," Maltz-Schwarzfischer urged on Bavarian Radio. She emphasized visitors should refrain from going onto the bridges. In Regensburg, a Bavarian city on the Danube, the situation was tense overnight. The exceedingly high groundwater levels, combined with an unsteady subsoil, threatened to interfere with evacuations. The anticipated high-water mark was supposed to be reached late in the morning, Maltz-Schwarzfischer shared, expressing hope that water levels would decrease during the day. The mayor acknowledged that it was hard to predict whether the dikes and safety measures would hold up, given the unstable ground and the overwhelming pressure on the dikes. "We're in a different situation than in 2013," she exclaimed, "because we have extremely high groundwater levels and the subsoil is becoming increasingly unstable. And this pressure on the dikes, with a fluctuating subsoil, is already critical."
8:25 Passau facing extreme water levels: ''Danube water level already at 9.54 meters''
The developing situation in Passau, Bavaria, is particularly critical. It was speculated the city would hit a high-water mark of 9.50 meters in the afternoon. However, the water level has already surpassed this threshold, as reported by ntv journalist Felix Balß.
7:48 Unprecedented workload for Bavarian Fire Department Association
The fire departments in Bavaria are working tirelessly due to the floods, says the chairman of the Bavarian Fire Brigade Association, Johann Eitzenberger, speaking to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." The association, comprising 30,000 volunteer firefighters, tends to emergencies around the clock. "In this form and extent, it is actually unique," stated Eitzenberger. He highlighted the significance of minimizing damages as much possible. Eitzenberger indicated they were managing the situation, but the future brought further challenges. "We will also need special skills in the future, such as handling oil from heating tanks."
7:28 Video: Danube presses against dikes and protective walls
Floodwaters are pushing on dikes and additional protective barriers in southern Germany. Some of these dikes are now threatening to crumble. The Passau city center is currently submerged, necessitating its closure.
7:06 Burg Falkenstein begins to slide - residents evacuated
Part of Burg Falkenstein in Upper Bavaria's Flintsbach has slipped away due to the incessant downpour. Approximately 50 residents have been taken to safety, as reported by the Rosenheim district. The castle ruin adjacent to the Autobahn on the Austrian border is a common hiking destination. Burg Falkenstein was built around 1300, while the outer castle was erected in the 15th and 16th centuries. Following a historic renovation in the 16th and 17th centuries, the complex fell victim to several fires by the 18th century's end. It's part of the Petersberg monument complex, which includes the Roman Peterskirche and the neighboring Mesner House. The degree of damage to the historic ruin isn't known.
The search for the missing firefighter in the floods in Swabia has been called off; it's assumed he drowned. A police spokesperson says he's likely to be found once the water subsides. The 22-year-old firefighter was on a DLRG lifeguard boat in Offingen, close to the Baden-Württemberg border. The boat carrying five rescuers was overturned by powerful currents. Four of them safely reached land with no injuries.
(Note: The police later stated that the search for the missing firefighter would continue)
06:03: Metrologist Thomas Deutschländer of the German Weather Service says certain parts of South Germany have experienced "century-rainfalls" over the past few days. This means as much rain as only occurs every 50 to 100 years. However, the data is preliminary and some stations might be missing or have inaccurate measurements. "The current data are quite conservative. There's more to come," he warns.
05:33: The water levels of the Danube in Passau have reached 9.27 meters, significantly higher than the 8.83 meters reported on Monday evening. The highest peak, 9.50 meters, is expected at midday on Tuesday. The Passau city center was closed to motor vehicle traffic due to flooding on Monday. Floods start to affect beaches when the water level reaches 8.50 meters, which was reached in Passau on Monday afternoon.
04:07: Around 200 people in the center of Regensburg have been ordered to evacuate due to the worsening flood situation. The ground in Werftstraße is reportedly swelling, resulting in imminent danger that the flood protection elements will fail. Rescue services have made the evacuation decision for everyone on the street.
02:47: The flood situation in the southern Rosenheim district has somewhat improved, according to local authorities. However, schools and kindergartens will remain closed on Tuesday. Evacuations took place in Raubling and Rohrdorf, but the number of people affected was unknown at the time. The district had earlier declared a disaster. With over 1000 emergency responders on the scene, the fire department and Technical Relief Organization were in action. The German Meteorological Service predicted that rainfall in Bavaria would subside overnight on Tuesday.
01:28: The German Meteorological Service (DWD) withdrew all weather warnings for Germany despite the tense flood situation. Severe rainfall in recent days caused many rivers and streams in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to rise, causing entire villages to be flooded even after dams broke. At least four people have been reported dead. In parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the situation remained precarious as of Monday.
00:12: After the recent floods, water levels in most rivers in the southwest are dropping. However, the Danube and Rhine remain a concern, with rising water levels. The spokesperson for the flood warning center maintains that there are no critical thresholds expected to be exceeded. The Danube in Pegel Hundersingen and Lake Constance, as well as the Upper and Upper Rhine, continue to rise, but the Neckar is decreasing.
22:53: The Rosenheim district cautions residents to stay at home, as there's an imminent danger to life and limb. People should also avoid being outside, steer clear of open bodies of water, and not hinder rescue services. Instruction suspension will be enforced in Brannenburg, Raubling, Rohrdorf, Oberaudorf, Kiefersfelden, Nussdorf, Neubeuern, Bad Feilnbach, and Flintsbach. The State Education Authority for Rosenheim will inform the affected schools, and kindergartens in the towns are expected to be closed.
9:47 PM: Rosenheim District - A section of Burg Falkenstein has crumbled
In Flintsbach of the Rosenheim district, pieces of Burg Falkenstein have fallen apart due to heavy rain. The Rosenheim administration reports this incident. Residents below the castle, numbering 50, need to be relocated.
8:08 PM: The largest campsite in Germany is being evacuated
The largest campsite in Germany, the Grav-Island, situated in Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, has announced an evacuation within 24 hours due to the ongoing flood situation. The increasing water levels in the neighboring rivers and lakes are the main concern for the Grav-Island operators. With 5,000 permanent campers, it is the largest campsite in the country.
8:53 PM: Evacuation of Regensburg's Werftstraße
Regensburg's Werftstraße will be evacuated as per the city's announcement. The street borders the Danube, and it's soil is becoming unstable due to the high groundwater levels. The installed flood protection equipment may not hold, causing flooding. Approximately 200 individuals are to be evacuated from 9:00 PM onwards.
(You can review all past occurrences here.) 1
