09:52 Over 290 firefighting operations have been carried out to combat flooding in Munich so far.
In the Munich region, heavy rains have caused havoc, with the fire department attending to over 290 incidents since 6am on Saturday. Flooded basements and underground garages are the main issues for the rescue teams, with several uprooted trees also causing problems. On Saturday evening, the flood warning level 2 of the Isar was surpassed.
At 9:24am, the situation is slightly calmer in Anhausen, where a dam broke five kilometers away and inundated the area. Residents who were evacuated are returning slowly, but the water levels remain critical in some areas.
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) is bringing more personnel to the affected regions in southern Germany. Currently, over 1800 people have been deployed to help with tasks including dam security, sandbag filling, and evacuation support. Fire departments and other emergency services are also active in the area.
At 8:47am, the flood situation in some parts of Germany continues to concern residents. Baden-Württemberg in particular is being impacted by the significant water masses, with the potential for a century-old flood. Rescue teams and volunteers are reaching their limits.
At 8:30am, it was announced that the ICE train affected by a landslide in Baden-Württemberg will be recovered in the morning. The regional train cannot pass through the track, according to a spokeswoman. A rescue locomotive is supporting the recovery. The time frame for the closure is still unknown. In the meantime, the regional train has managed to pass by the ICE. Two wagons of an ICE with 185 passengers on board derailed on Saturday evening due to a landslide.
At 8:16am, there is a missing person in Schrobenhausen. He was reportedly in the cellar of a house when the flood arrived. However, rescue teams are currently unable to access the home.
At 7:44am, a firefighter has died in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria. He was with three colleagues in a rescue boat that capsized, and was found dead in the morning, according to a spokesman for the district office.
At 7:29am, there are still multiple level 4 flood warnings in Bavaria, particularly on the southern Donau tributaries of Günz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Donau. The focus is gradually shifting downstream, from Swabia towards Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. Places like Neuburg, Kelheim, Regensburg, and Straubing may be affected, but the peak wave is not expected to reach them until early in the week. There are expected to be rising water levels in Mühlried in the Schrobenhausen district, as well as in Manching and Geisenfeld in Upper Bavaria, and in Abensberg in the Kelheim district.
At 6:54am, the German Weather Service (DWD) predicts more heavy rain in the south on Sundays. Thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected from noon to Monday night, posing the risk of more flooded streets and basements. There is also a possibility of lightning strike damage.
In the Augsburg district, evacuations have been expanded. Residents in Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen are urged to leave their homes immediately. Buses will be provided for those unable to leave on their own. In other parts of the district, evacuations were called for on Saturday evening and throughout the night. Communities near the Schmutter river, a Donau tributary, are among the most affected.
05:05 Wiesbaden braces for rising water levels on the Rhine and Main
In the city of Wiesbaden, officials are taking measures to address the increasing water levels in the Rhine and Main rivers. In the district of Kostheim, a flood barrier has been constructed, reports the fire department early in the morning. An additional pump has been installed in Schierstein, a district reaching the Rhine. Parking lots near the river should be avoided over the next few days, the fire department cautions. Currently, it's expected that no further actions will be needed.
04:04 No long-distance train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich due to landslide
A landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, has led to the suspension of long-distance train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich. The railway spokesperson can't predict when the line will reopen in the early morning. The landslide has blocked the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, already causing disruption in the train service between Ulm and Augsburg after the floods in southern Germany. Long-distance trains have been re-routed.
03:13 THW in Ulm fills 30,000 sandbags in nighttime operation
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) in Ulm filled 30,000 sandbags in a night operation for flooded and threatened areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. "We're currently filling 400 sandbags an hour," said Bernd Urban, head of the THW Logistics Center. Requests for sandbags have come from various locations in the southwest region and neighboring federal states. Persistent rain has caused surging water levels at several places in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
02:25 Red Cross sends water rescuers from Unterfranken to Günzburg
The Bavarian Red Cross is dispatching water rescue teams from Unterfranken to assist in the relief efforts in Swabia. The team is scheduled to be deployed in the flooded area of Günzburg, as announced by the Red Cross in the evening. The water rescue unit is equipped with two boat and diving teams, specifically trained for flood rescue operations. The districts in Swabia have reached the level of a hundred-year flood, with several waterways exceeding their normal levels by a hundred times.
01:27 ICE train derailment in Schwäbisch Gmünd due to landslide
Two wagons of an ICE train carrying 185 passengers derailed in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, late in the evening due to a landslide. Passengers are unharmed and being evacuated from the train. According to a railway spokesperson, the first two wagons left the tracks at 11:20 pm, but did not topple over. The landslide spanned about 30 meters in width. The train passengers are to move to a nearby kindergarten and then be transported to Plochingen by bus.
00:59 Car hit by landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd
A landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Württemberg, struck a car. No injuries have been reported from preliminary police reports at night. The landslide occurred along a road where the country road and railway run parallel. Schwäbisch Gmünd is approximately 50 km east of Stuttgart. Heavy rains have been falling in Baden-Württemberg since Friday.
00:14 Neu-Ulm bypasses high water level - extent of damages unknown
Neu-Ulm, a city on the Danube and Iller rivers, has surpassed their high water levels, averted the feared 100-year flood, according to a city administration estimate. Although the water levels were extremely elevated, Mayor Katrin Albsteiger states that there's no way to assess the extent of the damages until things settle down. The Donau promenade, two nearby streets, and the cycle paths along the Danube and Iller are expected to stay closed for the time being.
23:44 Munich: Possible danger at Isar River bank due to flooding
The Munich Fire Department warns residents about danger near the Isar River bank. In addition, two widely used walking paths surrounding the river are now closed according to the Fire Department on the X platform. Alert level 2 has been reached in the state capital, indicating floods occurring in non-constructed areas or traffic disruptions caused by high water levels on the roads.
23:23 Upper Bavaria plans to evacuate 670 residents in Schrobenhausen
Firefighters and rescue teams are preparing to evacuate 670 people in the Upper Bavarian town of Schrobenhausen. In Muhlried and a street by the Weilach River, bulldozers and boats are being used, according to the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district administration. The authority has also set up a hotline for citizens requiring immediate assistance. The town previously declared a state of emergency. The situation in the southern section of the Upper Bavarian district is concerning, as stated by District Administrator Peter von der Grün.
10:03 Multiple fire department interventions in Eastern Thuringia
Heavy rains and thunderstorms have led to various fire department interventions in Eastern Thuringia. This is reported by the Gera control center. Ronneburg in the Greiz district is particularly affected, with flooded streets, fields, and basements. The Liebschwitz district of Gera also experiences a small creek overflowing.
22:15 Rainfall eases in southern areas - no warning yet
In the flood-affected or threatened areas of southern Germany, the German Weather Service (DWD) reports a slight decrease in rainfall. A DWD meteorologist states that the intense rain experienced last night will not repeat itself tonight. "We won't see the massive rainfall amounts we had last night," he notes. However, new showers and thunderstorms from the north are approaching, which could potentially aggravate local flooding on Sunday afternoon. These showers are expected to be strong and may only gradually subside. "If they hit the already saturated ground, there will be more flooding," says the meteorologist. The most impacted regions by these showers and thunderstorms on Sunday include the Swabian Alb, areas slightly north of it, and areas around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.
21:40 Disaster alert in Freising
The Freising district also declares a disaster alert due to overflowing rivers and creeks. The district administration in the Upper Bavarian municipality anticipates record-breaking water levels on the Amper and Glonn rivers. The authority is concerned about significant flooding in the town of Hohenkammer, as well as those along the Amper. Residents are advised to prepare for such an extreme situation as early as possible and, for example, also to empty their basements. Ten Bavarian districts have declared a disaster alert in total.
21:03 District Dillingen declares emergency
Due to continuous rainfall, the Dillingen district in Bavaria has now also issued a disaster declaration. The district administration in the Upper Bavarian area reports that the situation with the Zusam, a Danube tributary, has worsened. The local crisis team is seeking assistance from the Bundeswehr. Experts project a 100-year-flood on the small river, which could affect the surrounding towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. In the meantime, the authorities are preparing to release water from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom, a historical floodplain of the river. The district administration advises local farmers to keep their livestock safe in barns.
20:37 Eighth municipality in Bavaria declares disaster emergency
The Landkreis Neuburg-Schrobenhausen has declared a disaster emergency due to the rising Danube and its tributaries. The district administration of the Upper Bavarian municipality indicates that level 4 is expected at the Neuburg gauge tonight. The situation with the Paar, a Danube tributary, and the Weilach, which flows into the Paar, is particularly concerning. According to the Landratsamt, the Weilach has already overflowed in the Schrobenhausen district of Muhlried and has flooded a residential area. Emergency services plan to evacuate residents there, as reported by Landrat Peter von der Grün. The situation is of major concern in the southern part of the district. Von der Grün underscored the need to prioritize protecting roads, bridges, and paths. "Only then can the fire brigade continue to assist with rescue operations."
20:01 Bavarian Red Cross rescues people from Babenhausen roof with helicopter
The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) has airlifted two people from the roof of their house in Babenhausen using a helicopter. The two individuals were in a life-threatening situation, according to a spokesperson for the BRK. The house in the district of Unterallgäu was at risk of collapsing due to the high water masses. People were also extracted from their homes by inflatable boats. Rescue teams brought over 100 people to safety, including many children.
19:34 People in multiple Augsburg locations instructed to leave their homes
Water rescuers had to free individuals from their vehicles, who could not open their doors due to the water masses. The situation could quickly become life-threatening due to the current and the rising water in their cars, the spokesman added. People are being asked to leave their homes in several municipalities of the Landkreis Augsburg due to the imminent risk of flooding. The situation is expected to intensify in the northern part of the district in the evening, confirms a spokesperson for the Landratsamt Augsburg. Affected regions include Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf. The government of Swabia has established a temporary shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
19:08 Bundeswehr assists in Bavaria's flood-stricken areas
German military personnel are aiding in the fight against the floods in Bavaria. A German military spokeswoman told Antenne Bayern, "The Bundeswehr is assisting in two districts, Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, after these districts submitted formal requests. Members of the military are giving out blankets and sleeping mats around Günzburg. Around Aichach-Friedberg, approximately 50 Bundeswehr personnel will join in the coming hours. Additionally, two military vehicles are being utilized in the region."
19:20 Faeser promises added support
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has promised further assistance to areas in southern Germany impacted by flooding. She mentioned the Technical Relief Organization (THW) in Berlin, "With the ongoing heavy rain and impending floods, the THW is prepared to deploy more personnel." Faeser continued, "We will continue to offer aid to these afflicted states with all available resources." As of Saturday evening, the THW has deployed 520 helpers and workers, who have been rescuing people, maintaining dikes, and extracting water. Faeser expressed her gratitude to those fighting against the water masses, "I want to thank all those who are currently struggling against the water masses and working relentlessly to save lives." She also cautioned those in the flood-stricken regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to heed the instructions of the local authorities. "Be mindful of these alerts."
18:58 Climbers at Zugspitze have been rescued
The climbers in distress at the Zugspitze (see Live Ticker entry at 15:15 p.m.) were successfully rescued. The mountain rescue service managed to bring 29 climbers to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at Zugspitzplatt. Multiple groups sought assistance as weather conditions grew severe and new snow formed around 2500 meters, or 900 meters before the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue team took action, and Zugspitzbahn workers provided assistance with snow groomers to find the climbers.
18:42 Severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of Brandenburg
The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued warnings about the potential dangers of severe thunderstorms for certain parts of Brandenburg. The second-highest alert level applies to the districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree until nighttime. Potential hazards include lightning strikes, falling trees or power lines, falling objects, rapid flooding of roads, landslides, or hail.
18:11 Flooded Autobahn A3 temporarily closed near Regensburg
The A3 motorway near Regensburg in Bavaria is closed for about ten kilometers between the exits of Parsberg and Beratzhausen, in both directions. The road surface is submerged, according to the Upper Palatinate Police Presidium. "Water is pouring onto the motorway from the fields," a spokesperson said. The traffic police in Regensburg, Autobahnmeisterei, fire department, and police are present at the scene. The traffic will be rerouted, a spokesperson said.
17:51 Memmingen prison is being evacuated
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1nGv-84sX3iFUJ1Y4784-1L20l-0gOl1b1GQ2D2t9112K4-r
Due to the danger of flooding, the prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, is being evacuated. The news agency Nonstopnews received this information. The up to 150 inmates will be moved to temporary locations in Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The river Memminger Ach, located directly in front of the prison, has transformed into a fast-moving stream, threatening to inundate the prison. Areas of the prison's courtyard are already submerged. This could result in a power outage, thus prompting the prison administration to initiate the evacuation. The police arrived with several emergency vehicles to assist. In the end, the evacuation had to take place across flooded streets. The fire department was also on hand with pumps to remove water from the prison.
17:35 Severe rain causing water levels to reach level 4
The heavy rain is causing water levels to reach level 4 at various pegs in Swabia. In Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, rivers are swelling more and more. The Hochwassernachrichtendienst (HND) reported that the pegs in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), have already surpassed level 4. The same is expected for Dammingen (Paar). Similar conditions were observed in the Regen River in Cham, Upper Palatinate. Centenial floods are suggested by the Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar) pegs.
The Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is projected to hit level 3 in Alert Notification 3 on Saturday and Sunday, as water levels in the lower Iller already begin to recede. Similarly, single pegs in the northern Danube tributaries of Wörmitz, Sulzach, Altmuhl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab are seeing Meldestufe 1 and 2 water level increases that are still climbing. In the region between Neu-Ulm and Kelheim, water levels are forecasted to reach level 3 by the end of the day, with Pegel Kelheim following suit in the evening. In the following part of the Danube course towards Passau, increases to Meldestufen 1 and 2 are anticipated.
17:23 Flights at Munich Airport continue even with rain
In spite of the heavy rainfall affecting many areas of Bavaria, flight operations at Munich Airport carry on as normal. So far, no flight cancelations have been necessary. There are several reasons for this. As airport spokesperson Robert Wilhelm informed BR, the water is visible in the fields adjacent to the runways. Also, the airport has been built elevated, and the runways are sloped toward the sides, facilitating water drainage. Furthermore, the runways are "grooved," meaning they are equipped with grooves that aid in water runoff. Therefore, the risk of aquaplaning is minimal, as narrated by Wilhelm to Bavarian broadcasters. The airport does not foresee major hindrances for the remainder of the weekend.
17:07 Söder: "We're just getting started"
Minister President Markus Söder evaluates the situation in the heavily affected Swabia region. During his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district, he expresses gratitude to the helpers and authorities. "Bavaria is well-prepared for a crisis," Söder states in the presence of Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. The situation is described as a "cumbersome burden" for the inhabitants, says the Minister President. Additionally, he adds, "This is far from over. We're just getting started." As the focal point of the storm is presently in Swabia, resources such as sandbags are being collected there. "Without the help of volunteer firefighters, police, Red Cross, and Technical Relief Organizations, we would not stand a chance," Söder implores rescue personnel. They have shown exceptional dedication. Meanwhile, Söder urges citizens to adhere to the instructions. Evacuation orders should not be defied, but rather obeyed, and caution is advised against attempting to extract vehicles from garages or return to cellars.
16:35 Train operations suspended in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria
The storms and floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria result in disruptions and train cancellations in South Germany. According to German Railways (Deutsche Bahn), there are issues with rail transport in Southern Germany. Two ICE lines are greatly impacted, as a spokesperson reports. There won't be trains servicing the path linking Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich on Saturday owing to the flooding. Similarly, the route between Ulm and Augsburg is also being affected. Additional details on track closures, cancellations, and delays can be found on the Deutsche Bahn website.
16:12 White cloth signaling help in Unterallgäu
The crisis situation now encompasses the Bavarian district of Unterallgäu as well. In the town of Babenhausen, parts of the mobile network have ceased functioning. Residents requiring assistance and unable to make an emergency call should hang a white cloth or sheet out of their windows or, if possible, display themselves visibly near the window to attract attention, the district administration instructs. In Babenhausen, people are currently being saved from their homes by inflatable boats.
15:57 Nearly 400 THW forces deployed in South Germany
In response to the storms in South Germany, around 400 personnel from the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are currently in action. The THW headquarters in Bonn reports this. They are pumping out water, fortifying dikes, and evacuating people if necessary. "Given the consistently heavy and sometimes intense rain, the THW is prepared to dispatch additional THW forces," it is being said. In the impacted regions, portable flood gauges will be set up and monitored by the THW. "Considering the impending floods anticipated in the coming hours, the THW is prepared to deploy more THW forces," the THW continues. Teams are stationed nationally on-call. Each relief crew consists of approximately 40 THW staff who operate three sewage pumps, a generator, an exploration vehicle, and a command post. Every relief crew is capable of pumping up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.
15:37 Map displaying all flood warnings
This map illustrates all current flood warnings. The map is routinely updated. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1nGv-84sX3iFUJ1Y4784-1L20l-0gOl1b1GQ2D2t9112K4-r
15:15 26-member climbing group stranded below Zugspitze
A team of 26 mountaineers is said to be stranded an estimated 200 meters short of reaching the peak of the Zugspitze. BR reports that the area has been hit by over half a meter of fresh snow within the past few hours, while torrential rain has been falling in the valley below. Temperatures have plummeted and visibility currently stands at around 100 meters. Several rescue squads have been sent out to locate the climbers in the heavy snowfall, according to BR, relaying information from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mountain Rescue Service. The group appears to be fatigued and possibly lacking proper equipment. It's unclear as to why they opted to ascend the Zugspitze amidst the adverse weather conditions.
14:52 Disaster Declaration in Donau-Ries District
The Donau-Ries District in Bavaria has declared a state of emergency. The decision aims to "instruction all resources collectively and bolster our preparedness for the anticipated water surges," explains District Administrator Stefan Roßle in a statement. He also advises the public to "maintain composure and steer clear of low-lying regions as much as possible."
14:20 Swabian District of Augsburg: Dam Break, Evacuation on the Horizon
A dam and a levee have failed in the Swabian district of Augsburg. The local government has issued a report regarding this. Residents in certain streets around the town of Diedorf will need to abandon their homes. Preparations are being made for an evacuation within the Anhausen district of Diedorf. "It is no longer viable to stay on higher floors," the district government in Augsburg proclaims. A dam has been breached in Burgwalden, and a levee at the Anhauser Weiher reservoir has collapsed. All dwellers of the endangered zones are instructed to vacate their residences within the upcoming hour and seek refuge at the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Authorities are urging individuals to refrain from visiting railway underpasses as floodwaters could potentially flow through them, posing a risk to lives.
Minister President Söder and Interior Minister Herrmann to Survey the Damage in Augsburg
Bavaria's Minister President, Markus Söder, and Interior Minister, Joachim Herrmann, are en route to the flooded regions in the Swabian district of Augsburg. The two CSU officials aim to gain a first-hand understanding of the local flooding predicament in Diedorf, with District Administrator Martin Sailer tagging along, as shared by the Interior Ministry. The trio's original visit location was changed abruptly due to the unstable circumstances, with their initial plan being to tour the swamped Fischach region. In Diedorf, evacuation measures for residents are currently unfolding. The flood situation is especially critical in the Swabian district. Following the District of Günzburg, the Landkreise Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have now both declared emergencies.
Tense Flooding Conditions Prevail in Meckenbeuren
The water level of the Schussen river in Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis, is steadily climbing. The flood level currently stands at 4.72 meters in the early afternoon, based on a municipal spokesperson's remark. It is speculated that the peak will be reached imminently. During the last flood in 2021, the river level reached 4.50 meters. Typically, it only holds 0.45 meters of water. On Friday evening, the municipality warned about 1300 people to leave their houses as a preventive measure. Many of these individuals have sought shelter with friends or relatives. Fewer than a handful of people utilized a temporary shelter. To mitigate the risk of potential flooding damage, schools, kindergartens, and meeting halls were emptied in advance. In the town with a population of 14,000, bridges were also closed as a safeguard.
Read also:
- International aid is being considered to support the fire department operations in Munich, as they continue to battle floods that have resulted in over 290 incidents since Saturday.
- In a live ticker update, it was mentioned that Munich's flood situation has surpassed warning level 2, and the fire department is dealing with flooded basements, underground garages, and uprooted trees.
- As the fire department carries out their operations in Munich, they are receiving support from various international organizations, recognizing the magnitude of the situation and the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the flooding.
