12:29 Straubing sets up dam barriers.
The water levels in Straubing on the Danube keep rising, as per the High Water Information Service (HND) Bavaria, and will surpass the highest emergency level four today. Starting at 3 pm, dam guards will be present. Firefighters will monitor the dam on-site and report both water levels and any damage to the dam. In addition, more sandbags will be filled.
12:03 The dam breaks in Baar-Ebenhausen area - a situation developing:A dam has burst in Baar-Ebenhausen in the Pfaffenhofen district, as discerned from an official alert. The impacted communities include Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching. Authorities urge people to promptly relocate from their ground floors.
11:37 Appreciation by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz for rescuers in flood-affected regions:Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses gratitude to the rescue workers and helpers in the flood-hit areas. "The demise of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen saddens me," states SPD politician Scholz on Twitter. "My thoughts are with his colleagues and family." A firefighter perished during a rescue mission at night in the Upper Bavarian district of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm.
11:25 Flooding is addressed at the Catholic Day in Erfurt:The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing, presents a special greeting to those affected by the storms during the climax of the Catholic Day in Erfurt. "We seek to harbor hope that human lives are shielded and safeguarded." Bätzing addresses this message in front of the Erfurt Cathedral.
10:59 Meckenbeuren district to be submerged in Bodenseekreis:Areas of Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis are underwater. The Schussen has overflowed and flooded streets in the districts of Kehlen and Brochenzell. The district has already aided the evacuation of 1300 people voluntarily, advising them to evacuate their homes and find safe sanctuary. A few residents persist in their homes and take refuge in the upper floors. The water level of the Schussen reached 4.86 meters Saturday night. It has since decreased. Typically, the Schussen is only 45 centimeters deep there.
10:34 Bavarian Prime Minister Söder pays tribute to the deceased firefighter:Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder commemorates the firefighter who perished in a flood rescue operation in Bavaria in a post on Twitter. "His service and commitment to his fellow humans will be remembered forever," writes Söder. "Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with his family and colleagues. We all mourn. It is painful." A 42-year-old member of the voluntary fire department passed away, as per police information, when a rescue boat tipped over near the towns of Affalterbach and Uttenhofen.
10:09 Ukraine's football team postpones training due to showers and rain before clash against Germany:As a result of severe rain showers, the Ukrainian football national team will not hold their concluding practice session today at 6 pm at the Max-Morlock Stadium in Nuremberg before the EM test match against Germany. Instead, the team will practice in Erlangen. A representative of the Ukrainian team revealed this decision was made to safeguard the stadium field. Ukraine plays against Germany's football national team on Monday (8:45 pm/ARD) in Nuremberg.
09:52 Over 290 interventions by firefighters in Munich due to the flooding:The Munich area has also been affected by the torrential rain. Since Saturday at 6 am, the fire department has carried out more than 290 interventions. The firefighters are required to drain flooded cellars and basements. Numerous trees have uprooted, as the ground is excessively damp. A multitude of streets have been closed. Flood warning level 2 of the Isar was surpassed on Saturday evening.
09:24 Dampening of the situation in Anhausen after dam break:The circumstance in Anhausen is gradually stabilizing after a dam exploded five kilometers away, inundating the town rapidly. "Those who were evacuated are returning gradually," shares ntv reporter Niklas Diemer. However, the water levels are still critical in other places.
09:08 THW deploys additional personnel to flood-affected areas in South Germany:The Technical Aid Organization (THW) is providing more manpower to the flood-affected areas in South Germany. Currently, over 1800 people have been diverted, states a representative. The helpers are ensuring dam security, filling sandbags, and expediting evacuations of residents in flooded areas. Alongside the THW, firefighters and numerous other emergency services are also on-site.
08:47 Landslide in Baden-Wuerttemberg throws train and car onto tracks:The high water levels in parts of Germany continue to keep people concerned. Particularly in southern Germany, the water masses are creating issues, and in the east of Baden-Wuerttemberg, there is a distinct possibility of a one-hundred-year flood. Rescue services and helpers are nearing their limits.
Railroad service in Baden-Wuerttemberg anticipates recovering an ICE train affected by a landslide by morning. Authorities have announced that a regional train can't pass through the affected area. A rescue locomotive on the second track of the line will aid in recovery efforts, though timeframes are unclear. Two carriages of an ICE train with 185 passengers derailed after the landslide occurred on Saturday night.
8:16 A missing person in Schrobenhausen
A person in Schrobenhausen is reported missing. This individual was potentially in the basement of a house during the flood incidence. The cellar and upper floor are now submerged, according to a spokesperson for the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district administration. At present, rescuers aren't able to access the house.
7:44 Death of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm
A firefighter has passed away in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria. He and three colleagues vanished in a fireboat during rescue efforts Saturday evening and was found dead this morning, as reported by a district administration spokesperson.
7:29 Floods continue to move downstream, additional warning level 4 updates in multiple areas
Multiple locations in Bavaria experience floods with the highest warning level 4. The main focus is still on the southern Danube tributaries such as Gunz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, in addition to the upper Danube. The peak was achieved during the night, and now the floods are moving downstream towards Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. Cities potentially affected are Neuburg, Kelheim, Regensburg, and Straubing. The peak wave is anticipated to reach these locations by the start of the week. Communities experiencing significant water level increases include Mühldorf in the Schrobenhausen district and Manching and Geisenfeld in the Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm district, along with Abensberg in the Kelheim district.
6:54 DWD anticipates more severe storms with heavy rain in southern regions on Sunday
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) predicts frequent severe thunderstorms with heavy rain throughout southern regions of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg on Sunday. The experts indicate that rain will be present from noon through late Monday night, resulting in potentially flooded streets and cellars. Electrical damages caused by lightning might also be prevalent.
5:39 Evacuation measures widened in Augsburg district
In the flooded areas of the Augsburg district, authorities extend evacuation calls. Residents of Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen are urged to leave their communities immediately, the integrated control center states in the early hours of the morning. Assistance is provided to those who cannot depart independently. Many other districts have also requested evacuations since Saturday night, mainly in communities around the Schmutter River---a Danube tributary.
5:05 Wiesbaden braces for rising water levels on Rhine and Main
In Wiesbaden, authorities prepare for potential rising water levels on the Rhine and Main rivers. Flood protection structures have been installed in the district of Kostheim, Wiesbaden's fire department reports. Additionally, a pump has been set up in the Schierstein district along the Rhine. Parking spaces along the riverside should be avoided over the next few days, the fire department recommends. There is currently no expectation that more measures will be necessary.
4:04 Parking train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich suspended
A landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd disrupts long-distance train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich. The railway spokesperson shares that they cannot predict how long the closure will remain in effect during the early morning. The landslide obstructs the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, which has already caused closure of the line between Ulm and Augsburg due to the flood in southern Germany.
3:13 THW in Ulm fills 30,000 sandbags
Forces from the Technical Relief Organization in Ulm worked through the night to create 30,000 sandbags for flood-affected and flood-prone areas in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria. Bernd Urban, the head of the THW Logistics Center, stated this number will be delivered by Sunday night. Sandbags are being produced at a pace of 400 per hour. Sandbag requests have come from various deployment regions and neighboring states as a result of persistent heavy rain. This heavy rain impacted water levels significantly in both Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria in several areas.
10:25 Red Cross Sends Water Rescue Teams to GünzburgThe Bavarian Red Cross is sending water rescue teams from Unterfranken to aid the mission in Swabia. These teams will be deployed in the heavily affected district of Günzburg, as per the announcement made in the evening. The water rescue units from all of Unterfranken are specially trained for flood rescue operations, including two boat and diving teams. In Swabian Günzburg, many bodies of water have reached the levels of a century-old flood, which is a flood that occurs or exceeds the statistical average once in 100 years.
09:27 Schwäbisch Gmünd: ICE Train Derails Due to LandslideTwo wagons of an ICE train with 185 passengers on board derailed in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd in the late evening due to a landslide. However, the passengers remain unharmed, and they are currently being evacuated from the train. According to the railway spokesman, the first two wagons came off the tracks around 11:20 p.m., but did not tip over. The landslide was approximately 30 meters wide. The train passengers will stay in a nearby kindergarten and then be transported by bus to Plüderhausen.
09:09 Landslide Hits Car in Schwäbisch GmündA landslide in the Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd hits a car. The initial police reports indicate that the driver of the car is uninjured. The landslide occurred parallel to the affected country road and the railway line. Schwäbisch Gmünd is located around 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. Heavy rainfall has been occurring in Baden-Württemberg since Friday.
08:59 Neu-Ulm Survives High Water Mark - Damage UnknownThe city of Neu-Ulm has passed the water surge level on the Danube and Iller, as estimated by the city administration. While the 100-year flood was thus averted, Mayor Katrin Albsteiger says, "We'll only know how much damage there will be once the situation has normalized." Two streets, the Donau promenades, and the cycle paths along the Danube and Iller are closed for now.
22:44 Munich: Danger at Isar River BankThe Munich Fire Department issues a warning due to the flooding at the Isar River bank. In addition, the city administration has closed two popular walking paths along the river. The river has reached level 2 in the state capital, as the Fire Department reports on the X platform. Level 2 means flooding on non-built areas or traffic disruptions due to high water on the roads.
22:23 Upper Bavaria: 670 Residents to be EvacuatedFirefighters and rescue teams are preparing to evacuate 670 people in Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria. In the district of Muhlried and a street along the Weilach River, excavators and boats are in use, as the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district administration reports. The district has also set up a citizen hotline for emergencies. The municipality had previously declared a disaster. The situation is particularly alarming in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district, as stated by District Administrator Peter von der Grün.
22:03 Numerous Fire Department Interventions in Eastern ThuringiaHeavy rain and thunderstorms are causing several fire department interventions in Eastern Thuringia. The control center in Gera reports this. Particularly in the area around Ronneburg in the Greiz district, roads, fields, and basements are flooded. In Gera, a small stream has also overflowed.
21:45 Prolonged Rain in the South - No Alarm YetThe German Weather Service (DWD) notes a slight relaxation in the persistent rain in the southern regions of Germany. A meteorologist explains, "Tonight, we won't have the really large rainfall amounts we had last night." Although new showers and thunderstorms from the north are approaching, there has been no warning issued yet. These showers could be strong and take a long time to subside. He also warns that if they hit the saturated ground, flooding will likely occur again on Sunday afternoon. Particularly prone to these showers and thunderstorms are the Swabian Alb, regions around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.
21:25 Disaster Situation Also in FreisingThe Freising district has also declared a disaster due to overflowing rivers and streams. In particular, the Amper and Glonn rivers are threatened with record-breaking water levels, as the district administration of the Upper Bavarian municipality reveals in the evening. The authority anticipates a major flooding in the town of Hohenkammer, as well as in all other areas along the Amper. Citizens are advised to start preparing early for such an extreme situation and, for example, also empty their cellars. Ten Bavarian districts have now declared a disaster.
9:50 Disaster Emergency Declared in Dillingen District
Heavy rains have led to a worsening situation in the Dillingen district of Bavaria, prompting the district to declare a disaster emergency. Officials reported that the Zusam, a tributary that flows into the Danube, is facing a possible 100-year flood. The crisis team has requested help from the Bundeswehr. Two nearby towns, Buttenwiesen and Wertingen, are also at risk. The authorities are planning to release water from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom, a former natural overflow area. Farmers have been urged to secure their grazing animals in safe stables.
21:09 Eight Disaster Emergencys in Bavaria
The eighth disaster emergency in Bavaria was declared in the Landkreis Neuburg-Schrobenhausen. The district's administration confirmed that due to the rising water levels in the Danube and its tributaries, a level 4 is expected at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation is particularly severe at the Paar, a Danube tributary, and the Weilach, which flows into the Paar. In Mühldorf, a district of Schrobenhausen, the Weilach have already flooded a residential area, and emergency services are preparing to evacuate residents. The southern part of the district is facing an alarming situation. The top priority, according to Landrat Peter von der Grün, is the protection of roads, bridges, and paths. This is crucial so that the fire brigade can continue with its rescue operations.
20:34 Life-Saving Rescue by Red Cross
The Bavarian Red Cross has rescued two people from the roof of their house in Babenhausen using a helicopter. The spokesman for the BRK stated they were in a life-threatening situation as their house was at risk of collapsing due to the large water masses. Rescue teams have used inflatable boats to save more than 100 people, including many children.
20:13 People Urged to Leave Homes Near Augsburg
The water rescuers had to free people from their cars as they couldn't open the doors due to the water masses. The situation could become life-threatening if they remain trapped in their vehicles. Residents in several municipalities of the Landkreis Augsburg have been asked to leave their homes and apartments due to the urgent flood situation. The norther part of the district is expected to worsen in the evening. The authorities have set up a temporary shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
19:48 Bundeswehr Aids in Flood-Stricken Areas of Bavaria
Bundeswehr soldiers are assisting in the flood-affected areas of Bavaria. A spokeswoman for the Bavarian Bundeswehr command said that both the Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg districts have requested assistance. Günzburg will receive blankets and field beds while 50 Bundeswehr soldiers will be sent to the Aichach-Friedberg district. Two Bundeswehr trucks will also be deployed there.
19:20 Further Support Promised by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser
The Federal Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, has promised additional support to the regions affected by the floods in southern Germany. She stated that the THW (Technical Relief Organization) is prepared to deploy more personnel. Faeser acknowledged that 520 THW personnel are already in action, who have been involved in rescuing people, securing dikes, and removing water. She appreciated the efforts put in by all those fighting against the floods. Residents in the affected regions in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg must follow the warnings and instructions issued by the authorities. Faeser implored them to take these warnings seriously.
18:58 29 Hikers Rescued at Zugspitze
Nearly 30 hikers were rescued at the Zugspitze, a mountain in the Bavarian Alps, as heavy rains caused avalanches and flooded roads. Officials stated that all were safely brought to Lower Bavaria.
The hikers stuck in distress at Zugspitze, as noted in the Live Ticker update at 3:15 PM, have finally been rescued. A group of 29 individuals were guided by the mountain rescue service to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at the Zugspitzplatt. Multiple distress calls were sent by different groups who were unable to continue due to harmful weather conditions and deep snow at about 2500 meters above sea level, around 900 meters before the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue service promptly responded. Additionally, Zugspitzbahn staff members prepared to help search for the hikers using snow groomers, according to a Zugspitzbahn spokesperson.
At 6:42 PM, there has been a storm warning issued for parts of Brandenburg. The German Weather Service (DWD) has alerted the general public about the potential dangers arising from severe thunderstorms. The second highest warning level was activated for the districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree, which will last until the night. These areas may experience lightning strikes, falling trees or power lines, tumbling objects, instant flooding of roads, landslides, or hail.
At 5:11 PM, the A3 motorway in Bavaria near Regensburg experienced partial closure for approximately ten kilometers between the exits Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions. The motorway surface was reported to be flooded, as stated by the Police Presidium Upper Palatinate. The spokesman said, "The water is pressing from the fields onto the motorway." According to the Regensburg traffic police, the police, Autobahnmeisterei, and fire department were present at the scene. The motorway was to be diverted, per a spokesman.
Around 4:51 PM, the prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, was being evacuated due to the potential threat of flooding. Nonstopnews shared the news that the more than 150 inmates will be temporarily shifted to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The report notes that the Memminger Ach, a tiny river that runs directly in front of the prison, has been transformed into a raging stream and poses a severe flood risk. Parts of the courtyard are already submerged under water. This may lead to a power outage, so the prison authorities opted for a temporary evacuation. Several emergency services, including police and fire department, arrived at the scene to aid the evacuation process. The evacuation, however, had to be done through submerged streets, as the access road had been flooded. The fire department was also present at the site with pumps to assist in draining the prison.
In the past few minutes, rain surges have caused water levels to increase to level 4 at several stations in Swabia. In Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, rivers are starting to swell considerably. The gauges in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), as per the flood warning service (HND), have already exceeded level 4. The same is expected in Dasing (Paar). The Regen in Cham has also reached level 4 in the Upper Palatinate. Hundred-year floods are being reported in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar).
The gauge in Wiblingen (Iller) is predicted to reach level 3 peak on Saturday or Sunday, based on recent projections. The levels for the lower Iller are already beginning to recede. However, the northern Donau tributaries, including the Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, have certain gauges displaying level 1 and 2 exceedances. In the area from Neu-Ulm to Kelheim, the water levels are expected to reach level 3 for the entire day on Saturday. The gauge in Kelheim should follow suit. In the Donau section extending to Passau, levels 1 and 2 rises are anticipated.
Regardless of the heavy rainfall happening across various parts of Bavaria, flight operations at Munich Airport can operate smoothly. There have been no cancellations reported thus far. This can be attributed to several factors, according to airport spokesman Robert Wilhelm. He explained, "We see the water standing in the meadows right next to the runways." The runways are slightly higher in elevation and were also built with a sloped design on their sides, allowing for water to quickly drain. The runways are additionally engineered with grooves to swiftly channel water off. Consequently, there is no imminent danger of aquaplaning, as Wilhelm revealed to the Bavarian Broadcaster. The airport predicts no severe issues for the remainder of the weekend.
The Minister President of Bavaria, Markus Söder, is touring the severely affected region of Swabia to assess the situation. He expresses gratitude for the helpers and authorities as he visits Diedorf in the Augsburg district. He affirms that Bavaria is well-equipped to handle this crisis while standing alongside the Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. Söder emphasizes the immense strain on the citizens, remarking, "This is not over yet. Things are really getting started." Due to the intense focus of the disaster in Swabia, crucial resources like sandbags are being directed there. He commends the selfless efforts of the rescue services - including the fire department, Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization - all of whom have displayed admirable commitment. To the people, he urges, "Please follow the rules." Evacuation orders should not be defied and drivers should not attempt to drive their cars out of garages.
16:35 No trains anymore
The ongoing storms and flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria have disrupted rail transportation. Deutsche Bahn announces that trains are experiencing delays and cancellations in the southern region. Of the two ICE lines, one is entirely shut down: there's no service between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich. The line connecting Ulm and Augsburg is also affected. For real-time updates on schedule changes and disruptions, consult Bahn's website.
16:12 Disaster situation in Unterallgäu
The Bavarian district of Unterallgäu faces a disaster situation. In Babenhausen, a portion of the mobile phone network has failed. Anyone requiring assistance who cannot make an emergency call should display a white sheet or cloth from their window, indicating their need for help. In Babenhausen, rescue operations are ongoing as volunteers rescue individuals from their homes with inflatable boats.
15:57 Over 400 THW forces are operative in southern Germany
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) has mobilized 400 personnel to deal with the weather catastrophe unfolding in Southern Germany. THW's headquarters in Bonn communicated this information. They are presently engaged in diverse endeavors such as pumping water, evaluating dams, and escorting people to safer locations. Further, THW may deploy more forces, considering the weather predictions and impending floods. A unit consists of approximately 40 THW members, each equipped with a sewage pumping station, generator, exploration vehicle, and command post.
15:37 All flood warnings illustrated in a single map
The following is a map displaying all current flood warnings. The map is continually updated.
15:15 Reported: A mountain climbing group of 26 stranded beneath Zugspitze
A group of 26 climbers is presently stranded several hundred meters below the Zugspitze. BR shares that it's experienced rainfall and snowfall at the Zugspitze, resulting in 60 cm of new accumulation. Temperatures hover below freezing, while visibility measures about 100 meters. Several rescue teams are tasked with locating the climbers amidst a blizzard, according to BR, who also cites the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mountain Rescue Service. The climbers are physically exhausted and unlikely to be adequately equipped. It's uncertain why they proceeded with climbing the Zugspitze amidst these extreme weather conditions.
14:52 Donau-Ries district announces disaster situation
In response to the deteriorating conditions in Donau-Ries, the district of Bavaria has declared a disaster situation. The move aims at "bringing everyone together and preparing us more swiftly and efficiently for the impending water levels," according to District Administrator Stefan Rössle. He emphasizes the importance of staying calm and avoiding low-lying areas.
14:20 Augsburg district: Dike and dam failures lead to evacuations
In the Swabian district of Augsburg, a dike and a dam have both failed. The local district authority has reported this dire situation. The inhabitants of specific streets in Diedorf are required to depart their homes immediately. Evacuation preparations are being made for residents in the Anhausen area of Diedorf. "Moving to a higher floor is no longer sufficient," the district administrator clarifies. Two significant events transpired: a dam breached in Burgwalden, and a dike at the Anhauser Weiher succumbed to the floods. All inhabitants of these regions are directed to leave their domiciles promptly and independently within the hour and seek refuge at the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. The authorities advocate steering clear of railway underpasses since surges could occur there. The situation poses a risk to lives.
Bavaria's top politicians, Markus Söder and Joachim Herrmann, are heading to the flood-stricken district of Augsburg on a Saturday visit. The pair of CSU officials want to assess the flood situation in Diedorf personally, as per the Interior Ministry's announcement. District Administrator Martin Sailer will join them. The trip's location changed unexpectedly owing to the situation. Earlier, the politicians had intended to venture into Fischach, a flooded area. In Diedorf, plans for evacuating residents are ongoing. The crisis is especially severe in Swabia, with water levels rising quickly. Two more districts - Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg - have declared disasters after Günzburg's initial declaration.
Meckenbeuren flooding escalates
Meckenbeuren's flood predicament in the Bodenseekreis district is deteriorating further. By mid-afternoon, the river Schussen's level reached 4.72 meters, according to a municipal spokesperson. The estimated peak is expected soon. During the last flood in 2021, the river had hit 4.50 meters. Typically, it only holds 45 centimeters of water. To avert potential devastation from the floods, approximately 1300 residents were advised precautionarily to leave their homes on Friday evening. Most heeded the call by staying with friends or relatives. A tiny portion used the emergency shelter. To avoid potential injury, schools, kindergartens, and community halls were cleared out in advance. In a municipality with 14,000 residents, several bridges were also closed provisionally.
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In response to the ongoing flooding, International bodies are being asked to provide assistance. The International Red Cross has been requested to send additional water rescue teams to help in Günzburg, a heavily affected district in Swabia.
Under the watchful eyes of dam guards, Straubing's live ticker shows that the water levels in Straubing on the Danube are still rising and are expected to surpass the highest emergency level four today. While this situation is concerning, dam guards are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the dam and the surrounding areas.
