04:30: Flood Mitigation: Esslingen Constructs Temporary Dam
Esslingen am Neckar is constructing a makeshift dam to ward off anticipated flooding in its inner city. This precautionary measure is in response to a predicted flood peak scheduled for early Monday morning. If it materializes, the city's canals in the inner district might overflow. In order to achieve this, roughly 1,500 tons of gravel and stones will be stacked up on the banks of a canal during the night. This project could result in traffic disruption in the vicinity of the construction site.
Meanwhile, Ebersbach an der Fils, located near Stuttgart, has warned some of its residents to prepare for evacuation. The city shared this information on Facebook early Monday morning. Residents of specific streets should collect their necessary belongings and spend the night away from their homes. They are advised to wait on upper floors. Firefighters from Ebersbach are typically on hand to assist these residents.
The Deutscher Wetterdienst (German Weather Service, or DWD) has lifted all weather warnings for intense storms accompanied by copious rainfall in Germany. However, there are local storms with a potential for heavy rainfall in southern Germany. Commencing at noon, areas south of the Danube and within the Bavarian Forest might be affected. Sporadic thunderstorms might occur as well.
Augsburg's district authorities have expressed their concern about flood tourists. These individuals are causing issues for assisting authorities. Rescue teams have been occupied with extracting people who defied warnings and visited dams, underpasses, and water bodies despite these warnings. To help alleviate the rescue teams' workload, people are encouraged to stay away from these areas. "Flood waves can be unpredictable and the banks can collapse," warn the authorities. Motorists and pedestrians should also avoid flooded roads and submerged underpasses. Manhole covers may be uplifted by the pressure of water in canals, causing a vacuum effect that might pull in unsuspecting individuals.
Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, and Thomas Strobl, Interior Minister, plan to visit two affected areas in the state on Monday. Their first destination will be Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis, followed by Erbach in the Alb-Donau-Kreis. A government spokesperson confirmed this. Kretschmann decided not to visit the site on Sunday, saying, "I myself have decided not to go to the site in a critical situation, wherein every hand is needed and every sandbag can make a difference, but to stay well-informed and monitor the developments closely." His reasoning was that the rescue teams are already stretched thin.
In Ebersbach an der Fils, a total alert has been declared due to flooding. This implies that all firefighters are on duty. At the federal highway 10, floodwaters have burst through a noise barrier, resulting in a flooded road, as demonstrated in a video by the city on their Facebook page. The populace was given a serious warning: "Please stay at home and refrain from visiting the disaster sites. As the video shows, there is considerable hazard; please refrain from wading into the water. There may be unseen manhole covers!" People are also advised not to go into their basements and rather remain on the upper floors of their dwellings.
A 48-year-old missing person has been found dead in a cellar. None of the media outlets have specified their source for this information.
As a result of a lightning strike on a signal box, regional train traffic near Dresden was disrupted in the evening. The railway spokesperson mentioned that the regional train from Dresden to Bautzen and Görlitz was the main train affected. Around 17:10 p.m., the lightning strike took place at a signal box in Radeberg east of the capital. It was expected to be repaired in the evening. One-and-a-half hours later, the trains resumed their regular service.
Finally, a nursing home near the Danube in Lauingen is being evacuated due to flooding. The city revealed on their website that they would ensure the ongoing care of the residents. They were relocated to an educational center.
9:30 PM: Dam Burst: Evacuations Required Near Danube and Schmutter
Due to a massive break in a dam, several settlements in the Swabian district of Donau-Ries have been asked to evacuate. These locations include Auchsesheim, Heißesheim, and parts of Nordheim, Mertingen, Asbach-Bäumenheim, and Urfahrhof. The authorities have urged the residents to remain calm, gather their belongings, and follow the instructions of emergency services. Additional shelters have been established as well.
17:03 PM: Faeser Travels to Flooding Site in Bavaria
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser are scheduled to visit the flood-stricken areas of Bavaria on Monday. Their goal is to gain a better understanding of the situation alongside Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann in Reichertshofen, located in the Upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm. The Technical Relief Service's president, Sabine Lackner, is also expected to attend.
16:30 PM: Many Schools to Remain Closed on Monday Because of Floods
Approximately 40 schools in eight districts of Bavaria will not be open for in-person learning on Monday. These districts include Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Aichach-Friedberg, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Freising, Fürstenfeldbruck, Dachau, Dillingen, and Augsburg. Grund-, Mittel-, and Realschulen, as well as vocational and professional high schools and special education centers in Aichach-Friedberg, will not have classes on Monday. All schools in Wertingen, Dillingen district, will also be closed. Some schools in Pfaffenhofen will not have in-person classes on Monday either. The Pfaffenhofen district administration has stated that some daycare facilities will also be closed on Monday. From Monday to Tuesday, classes will be canceled at Grund-, Mittel-, and Realschulen, as well as the vocational school, the special education center, and the Gymnasium in Schrobenhausen.
5:49 PM: Power Loss Affects Around 30 Towns in Swabia
Approximately 30 towns in Swabia are experiencing power outages. This information was shared by power supplier LEW. Local networks (low-voltage) are also affected in individual areas and houses. The outages appear to be focused in the districts of Günzburg, Augsburg, and Dillingen.
5:11 PM: Legoland and Gyms Shelter Evacuated Residents in Günzburg
More than 1,000 people were evacuated safely in Günzburg, according to a report from the Günzburg district administrator, Hans Reichart, to Bayrische Rundfunk. The evacuees are being taken to gyms and, in part, Legoland. This action comes as a result of the sudden rise in the Günz river's level.
17:42 PM: Weather Service Issues Warning for Further Heavy Rain in the South
The German Weather Service (DWD) is warning of additional heavy rain, particularly in the southern parts of Germany. Later tonight, extreme rainfall is anticipated, especially in Stuttgart. Other areas that could experience heavy rain include Saxony, southern Brandenburg, and Berlin. In the Alpine foothills south of the Danube, there may be strong thunderstorms with heavy rain. A danger of up to 40 liters of rain per square meter per hour exists. On Monday morning, the DWD anticipates showers in the Alpine foothills south of the Danube, with stronger thunderstorms from Monday afternoon onwards, even extending to the Bavarian Forest. A risk of heavy rain, possibly reaching 40 liters per square meter per hour, is present.
16:42 PM: Disaster Declared in Straubing
Due to the worsening flood situation on the Danube, Straubing's mayor, Markus Pannermayr, has proclaimed a state of emergency. This measure is necessary due to the demands' scale and the required manpower. The water level of the Danube in Straubing has exceeded six meters. Straubing's flood warning aims to reach level 4, which could result in flooding in large areas of built-up areas. The emergency measures are going well, and they will continue. Some streets have already been closed due to the flood.
16:14 PM: Authorities Urge Against Flood Tourism
As the floods worsen, emergency services are urging people not to engage in flood tourism. This behavior can unintentionally increase the risks for themselves and others while hampering rescue efforts. People are asked to avoid entering flooded areas and heed the warnings.
The partially submerged Bodenseekreis community of Meckenbeuren cautions against flood tourism. Tourists would hinder emergency assistance and put themselves and others in harm's way, the community in Friedrichshafen stated. "Even if it's currently raining less or not at all, Sunday strollers are asked to steer clear of the flooded area, respect closure signs on bridges and roads," a spokeswoman added. Time and again, law enforcement and firefighters had to remind people of the deadly current. The Schussen breached its banks on Saturday night, flooding streets and homes in the Kehlen and Brochenzell districts.
17:11 Severe thunderstorms loom in the Brandenburg Oder-Spree district
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms in the Brandenburg Oder-Spree district. Until Sunday afternoon, there is a threat of lightning strikes, uprooted trees, fierce winds, or falling items. Damage to homes is also possible, as well as landslides and hail.
16:53 Additional districts declare a disaster
As a result of the flooding, the districts of Dachau and Kelheim have also declared a disaster. "The current scenario, along with the projections regarding water levels, remains precarious. With this measure, we want to guarantee that disaster relief operations can be organized and provided with the required resources," Kelheim's district administrator Martin Neumeyer said. Dachau's district administrator Stefan Löwl shared the same sentiments. The step was necessary since the local forces were insufficient to manage the many emergency sites in the upcoming hours, Löwl mentioned. Relief efforts can now be dispatched to the district from beyond the area as well.
16:25 German railways prepare for restrictions on Monday
Passengers should expect restrictions on the train on Monday due to the stormy weather in southern Germany. As a result, the Deutsche Bahn has broadened its leniency policy to Monday: Those who bought tickets for the period from Sunday to this Monday and wish to postpone their journey due to the weather can travel at a later time. The train schedule for these tickets is now waived, the company confirmed. The severity of the disruption is yet to be determined. Multiple long-distance routes in the south are impacted. Trains have derailed, for instance, on the routes Munich-Nuremberg-Berlin, Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt and Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Crailsheim-Nuremberg and Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich. The railway advises against traveling in flood-affected areas in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
16:08 Approximately 3,000 individuals in Bavaria impacted by evacuations
In Bavaria, roughly 3,000 people have been affected by evacuations from flood-prone areas, a spokesperson for the Bavarian Interior Ministry in Munich revealed. For the many flood-related actions, approximately 20,000 forces are currently in action, and since the onset of the situation, 40,000 have been involved.
15:51 Weather forecaster: "I cannot even fathom the damage"
Whether the flood situation in the south will gradually improve is uncertain, according to Bernd Fuchs. "Every drop is too much," emphasizes the ntv weather expert. When asked about a connection with the climate crisis, he sees the current situation as "a clear indicator of where the journey is heading."
15:22 Stunning mishap: Man severely injured by shock while assisting in the floods
In the Upper Bavarian district of Freising, a man was seriously injured by an electric shock while aiding in the floods. A spokesman for the Upper Bavarian Police Headquarters said the 27-year-old employee of an energy company received a shock. He was rescued from a flooded region in Allershausen and airlifted to a hospital via a rescue helicopter. It is presumed that the work was flood-related.
15:02: Shipping on the Upper Rhine suspended
Due to heavy rainfall in South Germany, water levels along the Rhine have increased, and shipping has been partially suspended. On a portion of the Upper Rhine close to Karlsruhe, no ships have been permitted to venture since Saturday, per the Rhine High Water Forecast Center Rhineland-Palatinate. The gauge in Maximiliansau reached the critical shipping high water mark II of 7.50 meters on Saturday evening. By Sunday afternoon, the level was at 8.20 meters, but it was expected to lessen by night on Monday. However, rising water levels are anticipated further downstream: in Mannheim, Worms, and Mainz. High water levels could put shipping on the crucial waterway at risk on the Middle and Lower Rhine, possibly endangering shipping in the coming days. At the gauge in Koblenz, about 6.10 meters are anticipated on Tuesday. Over 6.50 meters, no ships can sail. The highest levels are predicted in Cologne and Düsseldorf on Wednesday.
At 2:38 pm, the Autobahn A9 is shut down for about 50 km due to a dam rupture in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm's Landkreis. The affected zone is located between Allershausen and Ingolstadt, and the road has partially flooded, as per a police spokesperson from Oberbayern Nord. This is a new predicament for police in the area. There are also power outages. A vast population is impacted. Various measures are being taken to remedy the problem. The district administration instructed inhabitants of Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching to evacuate the ground level of their homes and apartments and relocate to higher floors.
Later: 3:23 p.m.: Autobahn GmbH stated that both directions of the stretch connecting Ingolstadt-South and Langenbruck are closed. In addition, the section between Pfaffenhofen and the Neufahrn interchange on the Autobahn is severely restricted. Road travelers are recommended to avoid the entire area. Restrictions due to flooding also exist on the A8, heading towards Munich, in the Sulzemoos region.
12:38 p.m.: Economy Minister Habeck associates severe rain with climate change
Economy Minister Robert Habeck presses for greater efforts in climate protection after South Germany's flood catastrophe has ended. "Opportunities to restrict CO2 emissions, giving us adequate time to adapt, can't be diminished or squashed, but it's our primary mission," Habeck said during a visit to Bavaria's Reichertshofen. He cites the higher frequency of natural catastrophes as a signal that nature and climate are shifting. "Century storms are now occurring every few years."
11:59 a.m.: Chancellor Scholz is set to visit flood-hit regions on Monday
Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to visit the flooded regions personally on Monday to gain a better understanding of the circumstances.
11:17 a.m.: Discouraging fires: 22-year-old firefighter disappears
A 22-year-old firefighter vanished after assisting in an evacuation operation in Offingen, Günzburg's district. Police HQ Swabia South's official spokesperson indicated this. Pairing with a firefighter comrade and three DLRG aid workers, he was on a boat on his way to an evacuation, approximately 2:50 a.m., when the boat tipped over. Four of the rescue staff were rescued from the water, but the 22-year-old remained unaccounted for. His search intensified since early morning. Two helicopters are employed. A 42-year-old firefighter previously died at a flooding operation.
11:05 a.m.: Continuous heavy rainfall
New week brings no respite from flooding in South Germany. Metrologist for NTV Björn Alexander mentions that "the widespread, powerful rain persists." However, new local thunderstorm centers emerge.
10:52 a.m.: Further dam-break risk on the Paar
On the Paar, an additional dam failure danger emerges. The affected municipalities include Rottmannshart, Westenhausen, Lindach, Irsching, and Ernsgaden in the Pfaffenhofen district. Departments ask inhabitants to instantaneously relocate to habitation at higher floors. Basements and cellars should be avoided, per the authorities. In death emergency situations, contact the fire department at 112.
10:29 a.m.: Söder: 40,000 rescue personnel in Bavaria tackling flooding
As per Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder, up to 40,000 rescue workers have deployed to manage the flooding. Söder asserted during his visit to Upper Bavaria's Reichertshofen: "In the next few hours, we'll need to manage the reliefs well." The ones operating in the field for extended durations must be substituted, Söder said. "This is crucial because, the longer they're without respite, the likelier they'll be prone to fallibility, exhaustion. And then, the hazard to life intensifies quicker."
10:20 a.m.: Straubing: Dam monitors established
Straubing's Donaupegel level is increasing further, per the Hochwassernachrichtendienst (HND) Bayern. It will reached the maximum alert level 4 within the day. Per a municipal statement, dam guardians will be put in place at 3 p.m. Fire brigade members will monitor the dam location and report the water levels and any harm to the dam on site. More sandbags are being shaped.
10:03 a.m.: Dam rupture in Baar-Ebenhausen
In Pfaffenhofen, a dam break occurred in Baar-Ebenhausen. As indicated in an official warning, areas including Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching are affected. Residents are instructed to evacuate their homes' ground floor promptly.
10:01 a.m.: Baden-Württemberg and neighboring regions under heavy rainfall warning
Envirosense states significant rainfall in the upcoming 24 hours, especially across Baden-Württemberg and some neighboring territories. The risk of flooding will remain considerable. Citizens are advised to remain alert.
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, expresses his gratitude to the rescue workers in flood-stricken areas. He shares his sorrow over the death of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen on Twitter. "A firefighter lost his life during a rescue operation," he writes, adding, "My thoughts are with his fellow firefighters and colleagues." In the Bavarian town of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, a firefighter perished while conducting a rescue mission at night.
11:15 Flooding is a critical subject at the Catholic Day in Erfurt
Bishop Georg Bätzing, head of the German Bishops' Conference, offers a special message to those affected by the floods during the Catholic Day in Erfurt. "People combatting floods, especially in the southern regions of our nation, we pray for your safety," he says. "Our fervent wish is that human lives be spared and protected."
10:30 Areas in Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis, are submerged.
The districts of Kehlen and Brochenzell in the small town of Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis, are underwater. The Schussen has breached its banks and inundated streets. Approximately 1300 people had already voluntarily left their homes and sought safety elsewhere. Some residents remained in their homes and were staying on the upper floors. The water level of the Schussen had surpassed 4.86 meters on Saturday evening. It's since subsided. Typically, it's just 45 centimeters deep there.
10:05 Bavaria's Minister President, Markus Söder, commemorates the fallen firefighter
Bavaria's Minister President, Markus Söder, pays tribute to the firefighter who died during a flood rescue operation via Twitter. "His dedication to others and incredible commitment will never be forgotten," Söder writes. "Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with his fellow firefighters and loved ones. We grieve together." The tragic incident occurred around the towns of Affalterbach and Uttenhofen when a rescue boat capsized due to submerged homes.
09:50 Ukraine switches training session for Germany match due to rainfall
Heavy rainfall forced the Ukrainian national football team to move their final training session prior to the EM test match against Germany from Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg to Erlangen. This was to prevent damage to the turf. They'll play against Germany on Monday at 8:45pm on ARD.
09:17 Munich's firefighters on call due to floods
The Munich region is also affected by the continuous rain. The fire department has been called for over 290 missions since Saturday morning at 6am. They've mostly been asked to extract water from flooded basements and cellars. Besides, some trees were uprooted since the soil is moist, and several streets had to be blocked. On Saturday evening, the flood danger level 2 of the Isar was exceeded.
09:00 Flooding in Anhausen is improving, but other areas remain critical
In Anhausen, the flooding situation is gradually improving after a dam burst miles away, causing the area to fill with water in minutes. The evacuated locals are now gently returning to their homes. Elsewhere, the water levels continue to pose a grave threat.
08:45 The Technical Relief Organization (THW) sends more assistance to flood-prone regions in South Germany
The THW [Technical Relief Organization] is providing additional assistance to the flood-impacted areas in southern Germany. Over 1800 people are presently working, a spokesperson notes. They're securing dams, aiding in sandbag distribution, and supporting evacuations in flooded areas. Fire departments and other emergency services are also on the scene.
08:18 Germany: Landslide in Baden-Württemberg disrupts train and car traffic
The flood scenario in various areas of Germany is generating constant concern. The south of the country is contending with water masses, while eastern Baden-Württemberg faces the likelihood of a once-in-a-century flood. Rescue teams and helpers are facing their limits.
08:02 Recovery efforts for derailed ICE wagons in Baden-Württemberg begin in the morning
The aforementioned ICE wagons affected by a landslide in Baden-Württemberg will be recovered the following morning. The regional train can't traverse the track. There's a rescue locomotive on the second track to lend a hand in the retrieval process. The duration of the disruption is unclear. However, the regional train has managed to bypass the ICE. On Saturday, two wagons of an ICE carrying 185 passengers experienced a derailment because of a landslide.
In Schrobenhausen, someone is missing. According to reports, the person was in the basement of a house when the flood hit. As of now, the basement and parts of the upper floor are underwater, a spokesperson for the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district office reported. The rescue teams cannot currently access the house.
In Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria, there was a tragedy as a firefighter died. He was assisting three colleagues in a rescue boat when it capsized. The fire department confirmed the news, stating he was found dead the next morning.
Level 4 flood alerts continue in Bavaria, with floods being measured at several gauges. The focus remains on the southern Danube tributaries of Gunz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Danube. The flood warning service explains that the highest peaks have already been reached. The flood wave is now moving downstream, from Swabia towards Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. Potentially affected areas include Neuburg, Kelheim, Regensburg, and Straubing. Residents can expect these areas to experience high water levels at the beginning of the week. Moreover, Muhlried in Schrobenhausen district, Manching and Geisenfeld in Upper Bavaria, and Abensberg in the Kelheim district are expected to experience high water levels on Sunday.
The German Weather Service predicts more heavy rain storms, especially in the south. The DWD has warned that there's a high risk of heavy thunderstorms with heavy rain through Sunday to Monday night. The streets and cellars could experience flooding again, and there is a possibility of damage from lightning strikes.
The Augsburg district is expanding evacuation orders in the flood-affected areas. The authorities urge people to leave the communities of Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen as soon as possible, and buses are provided for those who can't leave themselves. Many areas along the Schmutter River, a Danube tributary, have been asked to evacuate their homes and apartments on Saturday evening.
Plans are being made in Wiesbaden to counter rising water levels on the Rhine and Main. The fire department in the district of Kostheim has built a flood protection wall, and a pump has been installed in Schierstein. People are urged to avoid parking lots along the river over the next few days.
Train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich is suspended due to a landslide in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. The railway spokesperson couldn't estimate how long the line will be closed. The line between Ulm and Augsburg has been closed due to floods in Southern Germany, and trains have been rerouted.
Forces of the Technical Relief Organization (THW) in Ulm were busy providing sandbags for the flooded and flood-threatened areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Transporting 30,000 sandbags overnight, Bernd Urban, head of the THW Logistics Center, said that they were able to fill 400 sandbags per hour, and the request for sandbags came from various deployment areas in Southwestern Germany and neighboring regions. The relentless rain has caused significantly increased water levels in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria at several locations.
Water rescuers from Unterfranken are being sent to the ongoing flood mission in Swabia by the Bavarian Red Cross. The rescue teams are expected to be utilized in the affected district of Günzburg, as the Red Cross announced in the evening. Each water rescue unit consists of two boat and diving teams. In the Swabian district of Günzburg, several bodies of water have reached the levels of a century flood, which occurs on average once every 100 years.
1:27 AM - Schwäbisch Gmünd: ICE train wagons derail due to landslide
In the town of Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, two wagons from an ICE train carrying 185 passengers derailed due to a landslide. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and passengers are being evacuated. A spokesperson for the railway company said that the first two wagons left the tracks around 11:20 PM, but did not tip over. The landslide measured approximately 30 meters wide. The passengers will remain in a nearby kindergarten before being transported to Plöderhausen by bus.
12:59 AM - Landslide damages car in Schwäbisch Gmünd
A car was damaged by a landslide in the Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. The driver was unharmed, according to initial police reports. The county road and railroad run parallel to each other at the landslide site. Schwäbisch Gmünd is about 50 km east of Stuttgart. Heavy rainfall has been occurring in many parts of Baden-Württemberg since Friday.
12:09 AM - Neu-Ulm exceeds high water mark, damage unknown
Neu-Ulm has surpassed the high water mark on the Danube and Iller, as per an estimate by the city administration. The threat of a 100-year flood has been averted. Mayor Katrin Albsteiger said, "We don't know how much damage there will be until the situation stabilizes." Two streets, the Donau promenades, and the bicycle paths along the Danube and Iller will be closed temporarily.
11:44 PM - Munich: There's danger at the Isar River bank
The Munich Fire Department issued a warning for the Isar River bank due to flooding. Additionally, the city administration closed two popular walking paths along the river. The city currently stands at alert level 2, indicating flooding on non-built areas or traffic disruptions due to high water levels on the streets.
11:23 PM - Upper Bavaria: 670 people to be evacuated
Rescue teams in Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria, are preparing to evacuate 670 people. They are using bulldozers and boats in Mühldorf and a street along the Weilach River. The district administration has also set up an emergency phone line. The municipality previously declared a state of emergency. District Administrator Peter von der Grün notes that the situation is alarming in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district.
11:03 PM - Massive rain and thunderstorms in Eastern Thuringia
There were numerous interventions by the fire department in Eastern Thuringia due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. The control center in Gera reported that the area around Ronneburg in the Greiz district was particularly affected. Several streets, fields, and cellars were flooded. In Gera district, a small stream overflowed.
10:45 PM - Reduced rain in the south, but no warning lift
The German Weather Service (DWD) reported a slight decrease in rain in flood-prone or threatened areas in South Germany. A meteorologist noted that they would not experience the same volume of rain as the previous night. However, new showers and thunderstorms from the north could bring the risk of localized flooding once more, especially on Sunday afternoon. These intense showers will slowly disappear. "If they hit the already saturated ground, there will be flooding again," said the meteorologist. The parts of the Swabian Alb, areas slightly to the north, and the regions around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg are particularly at risk.
10:25 PM - Disaster situation declared in Freising
The Freising district also declared a disaster situation due to the danger posed by overflowing rivers and creeks. In particular, the Amper and Glonn rivers face record-breaking water levels, as stated by the Upper Bavarian municipality's district administration. The district fears a major flooding in the town of Hohenkammer, as well as in all other towns along the Amper. Citizens should prepare themselves for such an extreme situation by, for instance, emptying their cellars. Ten districts in Bavaria have now declared a disaster situation.
9:50 pm District Dillingen declares emergency situation
Due to unrelenting rainfall, the district authority in Dillingen, Bavaria, has now also declared an emergency situation. The Zusam tributary, a branch of the Danube, is in a critical state, according to the authority. The local crisis team has called for military assistance. Experts predict that the small river will reach a 100-year high water level, which could affect the neighbouring towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. Meanwhile, authorities are planning to release water from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom, a former natural floodplain for the river. The district administration is urging farmers to keep their livestock in secure barns.
9:09 pm Eighth municipality in Bavaria declares emergency situation
The Landkreis Neuburg-Schrobenhausen has now declared the eighth municipality in Bavaria an emergency situation. The cause is the increasing levels of the Danube and its tributaries, as the Upper Bavarian district administration reports. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt predicts a level 4 at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation at the Paar tributary and the Weilach, which in turn flows into the Paar, is particularly alarming, according to the Landratsamt. In the Schrobenhausen district of Mühlried, the Weilach has already surpassed its banks and flooded a residential area. Emergency services are making plans to evacuate residents in the area, as Landrat Peter von der Grün explains. The situation is dire, especially in the southern district. Von der Grün stressed that protecting roads, bridges, and paths is a top priority. "Only then can the fire department continue with rescue missions."
8:34 pm Life-threatening situation: Red Cross rescues people from rooftops with helicopter
The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) successfully saved two people from the roof of their house in Babenhausen using a helicopter. A BRK spokesperson said the individuals were in a life-threatening situation. The house in Unterallgäu's district was in imminent danger of collapsing because of the accumulated water mass. Other people were escorted out of their homes by inflatable boats. The rescue teams saved over a hundred people - including numerous children.
8:13 pm People in various locations near Augsburg are asked to evacuate their homes
Water rescuers also freed individuals from their cars, who couldn't unlock their doors due to the water masses. According to the spokesperson, a situation like this can quickly become fatal due to the current and the rising water in the car.
In several districts of the Landkreis Augsburg, authorities are asking residents to leave their homes due to the severe flood situation. The situation in the northern part of the district will worsen in the evening, reports a spokeswoman for the Landratsamt Augsburg. Municipalities affected include Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire town of Nordendorf. The government of Swabia has set up a temporary shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
7:58 pm Bundeswehr assists in flooded areas in Bavaria
Bundeswehr soldiers are now providing aid in the flood-affected regions of Bavaria. "The Bundeswehr is aiding the two districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, after both districts have made an official request," says a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Bundeswehr Command to Antenne Bayern. "In Günzburg, blankets and field beds are being distributed. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, approximately 50 Bundeswehr soldiers are expected to arrive shortly, along with two Bundeswehr trucks."
7:20 pm Faeser ensures additional assistance
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is ensuring further support for the flooded areas in southern Germany. "Given the heavy, persistent rain and the impending floods, the THW is prepared to deploy more resources," says the SPD politician in Berlin, referring to the Technical Relief Organization (THW) teams. "We will continue to aid the affected federal states with all available support." On Saturday evening, there were 520 THW helpers and assistants in operation. They have saved people, secured dikes, and drained water. Faeser also thanked everyone involved in the water rescue efforts: "I would like to thank all those currently battling the water masses and tirelessly working to save lives." People in the flood-affected areas of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg should take the warnings and instructions of the authorities very seriously, Faeser cautioned. "Please take these warnings seriously!"
The climbers in trouble at the Zugspitze's summit (see Liveticker post at 15:15) have been successfully rescued. A total of 29 individuals were escorted by the mountain rescue service to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin on the Zugspitzplatt. Multiple distress calls had been issued, states a representative from the rescue team. Due to poor weather conditions and fresh snow at an altitude of roughly 2500 meters above sea level, around 900 meters before the Sonnalpin, the climbers were unable to continue their journey. The mountain rescue service immediately set out on their mission. The Zugspitzbahn employees, meanwhile, were also on their way with snow groomers to assist in the search process, according to a representative from the Zugspitzbahn.
18:42 Severe storm warning for portions of Brandenburg
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) issues a warning about the dangers posed by extreme thunderstorms in parts of Brandenburg. The regions of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree are under the highest alert level until the evening. Lightning strikes, fallen trees or power lines, falling objects, abrupt flooding of roads, landslides, or hail are all potential hazards.
18:11 Water on the motorway - A3 partially closed
The A3 motorway, specifically between the exits Parsberg and Beratzhausen in Bavaria, is temporarily shut down for around ten kilometers in both directions. The road is submerged, says the Upper Palatinate Police Department. "The water is invading the motorway from the fields," says the spokesman. According to the traffic police in Regensburg, the Autobahnmeisterei, fire department, and police are all present on site. Traffic will be diverted, says a spokesperson.
17:51 Evacuation of the prison in Memmingen
Due to the threat of flooding, the prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, is being evacuated. This information is provided by the news agency Nonstopnews. The incarcerated individuals, around 150 in total, will be relocated to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg on a temporary basis. Immediately in front of the facility, the Memminger Ach - a little river - has become a destructive stream, placing the prison in danger of being inundated. Sections of the courtyard are already submerged. This could result in a power outage, prompting the prison management to authorize the evacuation. While the police arrived with numerous emergency vehicles, the evacuation had to be carried out over flooded streets, as the approach road was already flooded. The fire department was also engaged in pumping water out of the facility.
17:35 Heavy rain raises water levels to level 4
The heavy rainfall has caused water levels to rise to level 4 at numerous gauges in Swabia. In Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, rivers are expanding steadily. The Hochwassernachrichtendienst (HND) notes that the gauges Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Hilpoltstein (Wörnitz) have already reached level 4. This is expected in Dasing (Paar) as well. Also, the Regen in Cham, Upper Palatinate, is at level 4. The Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is predicted to reach its maximum in Meldestufe 3 from Saturday to Sunday. In the northern Danube tributaries of Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, there are individual gauges with level 1 and 2 overflows that are on the increase. The water levels between Neu-Ulm and Kelheim are expected to reach Meldestufe 3 all day long, for example in Günzburg, Donauwörth, and Neuburg. The Pegel Kelheim will supposedly follow at night. The further Donau section to Passau anticipates rises in Meldestufen 1 and 2.
17:23 Why flight operations at Munich Airport can still proceed normally despite the heavy rain in Bavaria
Despite widespread heavy rainfall across Bavaria, flight operations at Munich Airport are progressing uninterrupted. Not a single flight has been canceled as of yet. Several factors contribute to this. "We see the water standing next to the runways in the meadows," said airport spokesperson Robert Wilhelm to Bayerischer Rundfunk. The airport is reasonably high-elevated. In addition, the runways have a sunken design on their sides, allowing water to drain faster. Moreover, they are "grooved," meaning they feature grooves that expedite the runoff of water. Thus, there is currently no risk of aquaplaning, as Wilhelm explained to the Bavarian broadcaster. The airport anticipates no significant difficulties for the remainder of the weekend.
MD President Markus Soeder is assessing the situation in the severely affected Swabia region. At a visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district, he expresses his gratitude to the helpers and authorities. Bavaria is well prepared for crises, Soeder remarks in front of Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. The citizens are facing a "heavy burden", he adds. He further states, "This isn't over yet. Things are just getting started." The focus of the storm is currently in Swabia, so resources, such as sandbags, are being concentrated in this area. "Without the helpers, we wouldn't stand a chance," Soeder praised the rescue services, which include the fire department, Bavarian Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. All these entities demonstrated superb dedication. He urged citizens, "Please follow the rules." Obey any evacuation orders, don't go back to the basement or attempt to drive your car out of the garage.
No trains running here (16:35)
The storms and floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are causing disruptions in rail traffic. Germany's rail service Deutsche Bahn reports storm-related disruptions and train cancellations in Southern Germany. Particularly affected are two ICE routes. No trains will operate between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich all day on Saturday, while the route between Ulm and Augsburg is also impacted. More information on track closures, cancellations, and delays can be found on the Bahn website.
Disaster situation in Unterallgäu - Hang a white cloth for help [16:12]
The disaster situation also affects Unterallgäu, a Bavarian district. In the town of Babenhausen, part of the mobile phone network has failed. Anyone in need who cannot make an emergency call should hang a white cloth or sheet out of the window to signify their need for assistance, the district administration suggests. Already, people are being evacuated from their homes in Babenhausen using inflatable boats.
400 THW forces in action in South Germany [15:57]
In response to the storms in South Germany, around 400 Technical Relief Organization (THW) forces are currently on duty. This is reported by the THW in Bonn. They are busy emptying water, securing dams, and evacuating people. "Considering the persistent and sometimes heavy rain, the THW is prepared to deploy additional THW forces." Mobile flood sensors will be installed and monitored, and adjustments will be made based on weather predictions and potential flooding in the coming hours.
All flood warnings on one map [15:37]
This map displays all current flood warnings. The graphic is continuously updated. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=19wgE6LX8q38oNJTG13n7q9c3V52Z460g-297lqJ7&ll=48.40016959317583%2C9.91320806640625&z=10
26-member mountain climbing group stranded below Zugspitze [15:15]
According to BR, a 26-member mountain climbing group is stuck several hundred meters below the Zugspitze summit. In the past few hours, 60 centimeters of snow have fallen on the Zugspitze, while rain is falling in the valley. Temperatures are below freezing, and visibility is only around 100 meters. Several rescue teams have been sent to find the climbers in the snowstorm. The group is said to be exhausted and likely not properly equipped. They seem to have attempted to climb the Zugspitze despite the adverse weather forecast.
Donau-Ries District declares disaster [14:52]
The Donau-Ries District in Bavaria has declared a disaster. This measure aims to "pool resources and prepare for the expected water levels more quickly and efficiently," says District Administrator Stefan Rössle in a statement. "It's important to stay calm and avoid low-lying areas if possible."
Breached dam near Augsburg - Evacuations prepared [14:20]
In the Swabian district of Augsburg, a dam and a dike have broken. The district administration confirms the situation. Residents in some streets in Diedorf must leave their homes. Preparations are underway for evacuations in the Anhausen neighborhood of Diedorf. "It's no longer safe to stay in your home on the ground floor." A dam in Burgwalden has failed, and a dike at the Anhauser Weiher has given way. All residents of the affected areas should evacuate their homes within the next hour and seek shelter at the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. The authorities also cautioned citizens to stay away from railway underpasses, as large amounts of water could flow through them, placing lives at risk.
On Saturday, Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann will visit the flood zone in the Augsburg district, specifically in Diedorf. The CSU politicians want to see the situation up close, as said by the Interior Ministry. District Administrator Martin Sailer will also join them. The location was changed at the last minute due to the circumstances. Initially, the politicians had planned to visit the flooded Fischach. Currently, evacuation preparations are underway in Diedorf. The flooding situation is especially severe in the Swabian region. The districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have declared disasters in addition to Günzburg.
Meanwhile, the situation in Meckenbeuren is worsening. The Schussen river in Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis is rising even more, reaching a level of 4.72 meters at noon according to the spokesperson for the municipality. It is hoped that the peak will be reached soon. In the previous flood in 2021, the river only reached 4.50 meters. Normally, the river only carries 45 centimeters of water. On Friday evening, the municipality advised around 1300 residents to leave their homes as a precautionary measure. Most residents have stayed with friends or family members. Only a small number of people sought shelter in emergency accommodation. To prevent potential damage from the flood, schools, kindergartens, and halls were emptied out ahead of time. In this town with 14,000 inhabitants, bridges were also closed as a precautionary measure.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=19wgE6LX8q38oNJTG13n7q9c3V52Z460g-297lqJ7&ll=48.40016959317583%2C9.91320806640625&z=10
Read also:
- Despite the German Weather Service lifting weather warnings, the city of Esslingen am Neckar continues to build a temporary dam to reduce the flood risk in their inner city.
- In the context of heavy flooding and potential evacuations, international news outlets are closely following the situation with a 'live ticker' update.
- Firefighters in Esslingen am Neckar play a crucial role in assisting residents who need to evacuate their homes due to the flood risk, demonstrating international cooperation in disaster management.
