12:39 Söder: Over 40,000 emergency personnel are responding to the flooding situation in Bavaria.
In response to the ongoing flood crisis in Bavaria, the state's Minister President, Markus Söder, stated that approximately 40,000 emergency personnel have been deployed across the region to manage the situation. Söder highlighted the urgency of effective relief efforts, saying, "The most essential task in the next few hours is to organize relief efforts well." Workers who have been carrying out the rescue and cleanup efforts for extended periods must be temporarily relieved to prevent potential errors and fatigue, which could lead to a heightened risk of danger.
As the water levels in Straubing continue to rise, the town is now expected to hit the highest alert level 4, according to the Bavarian Flood Information Service (HND) Bayern. Dam guards will be stationed starting at 3 pm, with firefighters monitoring the dam on-site to report both water levels and any damage to the dam. More sandbags are also being filled.
In the Pfaffenhofen district, a dam has broken in the area of Baar-Ebenhausen. Residents in Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching have been instructed to immediately abandon the ground floors of their homes, as per an official warning.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed gratitude to the rescue workers and volunteers involved in the flood-stricken regions. He expressed his condolences following the death of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen during a nighttime rescue operation.
The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing, referred to the recent storms and floods in his closing remarks at the Catholic Day in Erfurt. He requested that people's lives be prioritized and protected in the affected areas.
Parts of Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis have experienced flooding as the Schussen overflowed, with streets inundated. About 1,300 individuals had voluntarily left their homes on Saturday to seek safety elsewhere. Some residents, however, remained in the upper floors of their houses. The water levels of the Schussen have reduced since Saturday evening when they had reached more than 4.86 meters.
Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder paid tribute to a fallen firefighter who perished during a rescue mission in the region. The firefighter, aged 42, reportedly lost his life when a rescue boat overturned near the towns of Affalterbach and Uttenhofen in a flooded house.
The Ukrainian national football team postponed its final training session, originally scheduled for 6 pm on Sunday at the Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg, due to heavy rain. Instead, they will train in Erlangen to avoid damaging the stadium's grass.
The Munich city area has seen over 290 interventions by the fire department since 6 am on Saturday, primarily to pump out basements and garages. In addition, some streets have been blocked by uprooted trees and flooded roads. The city's Isar exceeded the Hochwassermeldestufe 2, marking a critical level of flooding.
Water has receded in Anhausen following a dam breach about five kilometers away that quickly flooded the town. Residents evacuated in the aftermath are starting to return to their homes, but the water levels elsewhere remain severe.
The German Red Cross (DRK) mobilized an additional 100 employees to reinforce rescue operations in South Germany.
The Texas Emergency Response Team (TERT) is sending additional volunteers to the flooded areas in southern Texas. Over 1,800 workers are currently on the job, according to a team representative. The team members are securing dams, aiding in sandbag filling, and assisting with evacuations of residents in affected regions. In conjunction with TERT, fire departments and other emergency services are also actively engaged.
08:47 Landslide in Austin hits train and vehicle
The ongoing flood situation in certain areas of Texas continues to disturb residents. Particularly in the southern region, large water masses are causing concern among both residents and the support teams. In eastern Austin, there is even a possibility of a millennium-old flood.
08:30 ICE train to be taken from landslide in Pflugerville
The ICE train that experienced a landslide in Pflugerville, Texas, is predicted to be retrieved in the morning. The regional train is unable to pass through the area, reports a TERT spokesperson. A rescue locomotive is positioned alongside the second lane of the railroad to support the rescue operation. The timeframe for the disruption remains unclear. By Saturday evening, two carriages of an ICE train with 185 passengers on board derailed due to a landslide.
08:16 Missing person in Taylor
A person is missing in Taylor. The person is believed to have been in the basement of a house when the flood arrived. A spokesperson from the Travis County office said that the rescue teams cannot currently enter the house.
07:44 Firefighter dies in floods in Bastrop County, Texas
A firefighter has died in Bastrop County, Texas. He and three colleagues overturned in their firefighting craft and was found lifeless in the morning, a district office spokesperson shared.
07:29 Flooding shifts downstream - further Meldestufe 4 in many places
In Texas, Meldestufe 4 flooding is being recorded at several sites. Areas of focus are the southern tributaries of Colorah, Pecos, Purgatory, Llano, Guadalupe, San Marcos, Comal, Blanco, Llano, and Guadalupe rivers, as well as the upper Brazos and San Antonio rivers. Peak levels have been achieved overnight. The focus of the flood is now relocating downstream - from the South towards Upper Central and Western regions. Potentially impacted areas could include Sealy,heimer, Regensburg, Straubing. The peak wave is forecasted to reach these areas early next week. In particular, rising water levels are predicted for Sealy,heimer, Regensburg, Straubing, as well as in Manching and Geisenfeld in the Kelheim district.
06:54 Meteorological service expects additional heavy rain in the south
In various sections of Texas and Texas, the German Weather Service (DWD) anticipates additional thunderstorms with consistent rain on Sunday. It is predicted that thunderstorms with heavy rain will persist from midday on Monday night. There is a risk of flooded roadways and basements. Lightning-caused damage is also possible, according to the report.
05:39 Augsburg district enlarges evacuations
In the flooded regions of the Bavarian district of Augsburg, officials are widening evacuation orders. Residents of the communities of Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen are urged to leave their homes immediately, warns the Integrated Control Center in the early morning. Busses are being made available for people who are unable to leave the areas on their own. Furthermore, other regions in the district were also directed to vacate their properties on Friday evening and throughout the night. Most affected are districts along the Schmutter river, a Danube tributary.
05:05 Wiesbaden takes action for rising water levels
Authorities in Wiesbaden are taking steps against ascending water levels from the Rhine and Main rivers. A flood wall has been erected in the Kostheim district, as reported by the fire department early in the morning. A pump has also been installed in the Schierstein riverbank district. It is advised to avoid parking spaces in close proximity to the river in the coming days. No further measures are deemed necessary.
04:04 Train traffic between Austin and Dallas suspended
Due to a landslide in Baden-Württemberg's Schwäbisch Gmünd, there is currently no long-distance train service between Austin and Dallas. A train representative could not estimate how long the line would be obstructed early in the morning. The landslide obstructs the bypass route between Aalen and Stuttgart. In addition, intercity train travel has been disrupted between Ulm and Augsburg due to flooding in southern Germany, forcing long-distance trains to change their routes.
In a clandestine mission, the Technical Aid Organization (THW) forces based in Ulm have begun packing thousands of sandbags for flooded or potentially flooded regions in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. THW Logistics Center head Bernd Urban mentioned that they aim to distribute 30,000 sandbags throughout the night. Currently, they can pack 400 sandbags per hour. Requests for these sandbags are coming from several areas in the southwestern part of the country and even from neighboring regions in the adjacent federal state. Persistent rain has resulted in increased water levels at various locations in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
00:25 Red Cross Sends Water Rescue Teams to Gunzburg Area
The Red Cross in Bavaria has dispatched water rescue teams from Unterfranken to aid the ongoing mission in Swabia. The announcement was made in the evening, and the water rescue units, consisting of two boat and diving squads, are expected to be deployed in Gunzburg, a district severely affected by floodwaters. Multiple waterways in the Swabian region of Gunzburg have reached levels of a 100-year flood, which is when a flood event of this magnitude occurs or surpasses once every 100 years.
00:20 Schwäbisch Gmünd: ICE Wagons Derail
Two ICE train wagons, carrying 185 passengers, derailed in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, following a landslide. Fortunately, none of the passengers were injured, and they were being evacuated from the train. A spokesperson for the railway firm confirmed that the first two wagons left the tracks around 10:20 p.m., but they remained upright. The landslide measured approximately 30 meters in width. Passengers are expected to stay at a nearby kindergarten and subsequently be transported by bus to Plüderhausen after the evacuation.
00:50 Landslide Damages Car in Schwäbisch Gmünd
A car was damaged due to a landslide in the town of Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg. According to initial police reports, the car's driver remained unharmed. The landslide occurred at the intersection between the affected road and the railway. Schwäbisch Gmünd is about 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. Since Friday, heavy rainfall has been reported in many parts of Baden-Württemberg.
00:10 Neu-Ulm: Water Levels Peaked - Extent of Damages Unclear
Neu-Ulm, the city on the Danube and Iller rivers, is supposed to have successfully coped with the high-water mark, as estimated by the city administration. Despite the high water levels, the feared 100-year flood did not occur, with Mayor Katrin Albsteiger stating, "We will only know the extent of the damage once the situation stabilizes." Two streets and the cycle paths along both rivers (Donauufer paths and the paths along the Danube and Iller) will remain closed for the time being.
23:40 Munich: Danger Along Isar Riverbank
The Munich Fire Department alerts the public to potential hazards at the Isar Riverbank due to flooding. Additionally, the city administration has closed two popular walking trails bordering the Isar River. The river now reaches level 2 in Munich - a level indicating flooding on non-constructed areas or potential traffic disruptions resulting from elevated water levels on roads.
23:20 Upper Bavaria: 670 to be Evacuated
Firefighting and rescue teams are preparing to evacuate 670 people from flood-threatened areas in the Upper Bavarian town of Schrobenhausen. In the districts of Mühlried and a street adjacent to the Weilach River, diggers and boats are currently being used. The district administration has also set up a special phone line for emergencies. The community had previously declared a disaster. The district administrator, Peter von der Grün, highlighted the extreme risk in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district.
23:00 Increased Fire Department Interventions in Eastern Thuringia
Rainfall and instantaneous thunderstorms have provoked numerous interventions by local fire departments in eastern Thuringia. The control center in Gera has reported this situation. The area around Ronneburg in the Greiz district is particularly affected, with flooded streets, fields, and cellars. A small stream has overflowed in the district of Gera as well.
22:45 Easing Rainfall in Southern Germany - No Immediate Relief
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has noted a slight decrease in rainfall in the areas affected or vulnerable to flooding in southern Germany. A DWD meteorologist shared, "We will not experience the massive rainfall of last night tonight." However, new showers and thunderstorms originating from the north may potentially trigger flooding again, particularly between noon and afternoon on Sunday. These showers could be intense and protracted. "If they strike the already saturated soil, further flooding will likely occur," the meteorologist said. The most heavily impacted places on Sunday are the Swabian Alb, areas to the north, and regions around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.
22:20 Disaster Situation Also in Freising
Freising is experiencing a disaster situation caused by the floods. Details and the extent of the disaster remain unknown.
The Freising region has been declared a disaster area due to the overflowing of rivers and brooks. The local government in Upper Bavaria indicated that there would be record-high water levels in the Amper and Glonn rivers. They are worried that massive flooding may occur in the town of Hohenkammer, as well as all the settlements along the Amper. People are advised to prepare for this unprecedented event and, for instance, empty their basements. Ten regions of Bavaria have now declared a state of emergency.
Dillingen district in the Bavarian part of Swabia has also declared a state of emergency due to continuous rainfall. The situation with the Zusam, a smaller river that feeds into the Danube, is deteriorating, according to the Dillingen local government. The crisis team has requested the assistance of the Bundeswehr. The experts anticipate a flood once in a century on the small river, which could affect the nearby settlements of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. The Dillingen authorities are also preparing to gradually release water from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom, a former floodplain. The district government is asking farmers in the area to secure their livestock in protected stables.
The Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district has declared a disaster situation as the ninth area in Bavaria. The cause is the rising Danube and its tributaries, according to the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen municipality. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt expects level 4 at the Neuburg gauge overnight. The situation is even more perilous at the Paar, one of the Danube's tributaries, and the Weilach, which drains into the Paar. The Weilach has already overflowed in the Mühldorf region, flooding a residential area. Emergency services are organizing the evacuation of residents, as per a statement from Landrat Peter von der Grün. The situation is particularly alarming in the southern part of the district. von der Grün emphasized the importance of protecting roads, bridges, and pathways. "Only then will the fire brigade be able to continue responding to emergencies."
Rescue crews have saved two people from the top of their house in Babenhausen with a helicopter. The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) identified these individuals as being in a life-threatening situation, as their home was at risk of collapsing due to the swirling floodwaters. Other residents were taken to safety using inflatable boats. The rescue squad saved more than a hundred people - including many children, a spokesperson for the BRK stated.
Some locals in several communities in Augsburg have been asked to abandon their dwellings due to the impending flood. The Augsburg district administration reported that the situation in the northern area would deteriorate even more in the evening. Affected areas include parts of Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the whole municipality of Nordendorf. The Swabian administration set up an emergency shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
Bundeswehr members are helping the regions that are being inundated in Bavaria. "The Bundeswehr is assisting the districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, as both districts made official requests," said a spokesperson for the Bavarian Army Command to the radio outlet Antenne Bayern. "In Günzburg, blankets and beds are being distributed. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, approximately 50 female and male Bundeswehr soldiers are expected in a few hours. In addition, two trucks from the Bundeswehr are already in use."
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has obtained additional support for the areas impacted by flooding in southern Germany. "Due to the continuous heavy rain and impending floods, THW is ready to deploy more forces nationwide," the Social Democrat politician said in Berlin, referring to THW assistance. "We will continue to support the affected states with all the assistance we can provide." As of Saturday evening, 520 THW helpers - both men and women - have been engaged. They have saved people, shored up dikes, and pumped out water. Faeser expressed gratitude to all volunteers and urged, "Please pay attention to the warnings and instructions from the officials." People in the Bavarian and Baden-Württemberg regions must take these warnings seriously.
At 18:58, 29 distressed mountain climbers at Zugspitze, who were mentioned in the Live Ticker at 15:15, have been successfully rescued. The mountain rescue team led these individuals to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at Zugspitzplatt. Multiple groups had called for help due to horrendous weather conditions and fresh snow at an altitude of approximately 2500 meters. These individuals were unable to move any further before reaching the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue service responded, while employees of the Zugspitzbahn were on their way with snow groomers to search for the climbers, according to a Zugspitzbahn spokesperson.
At 18:42, Brandenburg is warned about the hazards of severe thunderstorms. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has issued the second highest warning level, indicating severe thunderstorms, for the areas of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree until the evening. Potential dangers include lightning strikes, falling trees or power lines, falling objects, rapid flooding of streets, landslides, or hail.
At 18:11, a portion of the A3 motorway in Bavaria between the exits Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions is closed due to a ten-kilometer stretch of flooded road. The police presidium Upper Palatinate has reported this. A spokesperson for the police stated, "The water is pressing from the fields onto the motorway." Motorway administration, fire department, and police are on-site, redirecting traffic as per a spokesman's statement.
17:51: The prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, is being evacuated due to flood hazards. Nonstopnews has announced this evacuation. The prison accommodates up to 150 inmates, who will be taken temporarily to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The flooding river, Memminger Ach, is in close proximity to the prison, causing a life-threatening situation. Portions of the courtyard are already submerged in water. This may lead to power outages, resulting in the decision for the evacuation. Emergency vehicles and the fire department arrived to execute the evacuation, but had to maneuver through flooded streets.
17:35: Due to torrential rainfall, water levels are reaching level 4 at numerous sites in Swabia. Rivers are expanding rapidly in Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate. The High Water Information Service (HND) has notified that the gauges in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Dasing (Paar) have already attained level 4. In addition, Dasing (Paar) has experienced one-hundred-year floods.
Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is projected to reach Meldestufe 3 on Saturday-Sunday, while water levels in the lower Iller are already receding. In the northern Danube tributaries Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, there are select gauges with level 1 and 2 overflows, each having an increasing trend. In Neu-Ulm to Kelheim, the water levels are predicted to escalate to Meldestufe 3 over the course of the day, and the Pegel Kelheim is anticipated to follow at night. The more extensive Danube section to Passau is forecasted to have increases to Meldestufen 1 and 2.
17:23: Despite heavy rainfall in various regions of Bavaria, flight operations at Munich Airport are running smoothly. No flights have been canceled. The exposed airport location was built slightly raised, and the runways are sunken towards the sides, allowing water to drain off. In addition, the runways are 'grooved' to further assist in water drainage. Thus, there is no immediate danger of aquaplaning, said airport spokesperson Robert Wilhelm to BR. Munich Airport anticipates no substantial difficulties during the weekend.
17:07: In the opinion of Soder, "This is finally where things are starting to happen."
Minister President Markus Söder visits the heavily affected region of Swabia in Bavaria to inspect the situation firsthand. He expresses his gratitude to the helpers and authorities during his trip to Diedorf in the Augsburg district. Bavaria has undergone a crisis test, says the minister president, considering the current state of affairs. The situation is a significant burden on the citizens, he continues. He adds, "This isn't over yet. Things are only getting started." The focal point of the storm is currently in Swabia, prompting the quest for resources like sandbags to intensify. "Without the helpers, we wouldn't have a shot at this," Söder appeals to rescue services such as the fire department, Red Cross, police, and technical relief. Their dedication is absolutely commendable. He urges the citizens: "Follow the rules, please." Evacuation orders should be strictly adhered to instead of heading back into cellars or attempting to drive cars out of garages.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1Kaqo869KFGWkDz1LRQQj1nRY1d3x0K84V5eY-EyQ
16:35 No more trains running
The storms and flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are impacting train services as well. Deutsche Bahn acknowledges disruptions and train cancellations in South Germany; two ICE lines in particular are affected. Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich will not have any trains for the entire day on Saturday as a result of the flooding. Likewise, the line between Ulm and Augsburg is experiencing its share of issues. For more details on track closures, cancellations, and delays, visit the railway's website.
16:12 Disaster situation declared in Unterallgäu - Residents seeking help should display a white cloth
The Bavarian district of Unterallgäu now also finds itself in a disaster situation. In Babenhausen, part of the mobile network experienced a failure. Those in need of assistance, unable to make a call, are advised to display a white sheet or cloth from their windows or, if possible, make their presence visible at the window. This is aimed at attracting attention to their request for help. Rescue operations are already underway in Babenhausen using inflatable boats.
15:57 Over 400 THW members mobilized in South Germany
In response to the storms in South Germany, approximately 400 members of the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are actively engaged. The THW in Bonn reports this, adding that their personnel are busy pumping out water, securing dams, and assisting with evacuations. The THW is fully prepared for additional deployments as the situation warrants: "The persistent and sometimes heavy rain is prompting the THW to deploy more THW forces." They've installed mobile water level gauges in the affected areas and will monitor them closely. The THW is gearing up to mobilize more forces in case of imminent flooding. Each relief group comprises about 40 THW members who operate three sewage pumps, a power generator, a reconnaissance vehicle, and a command post. With these tools, they can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.
15:37 Check out this map for all flood warnings updated regularly
This map includes all flood warnings. The graphic is periodically updated. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1Kaqo869KFGWkDz1LRQQj1nRY1d3x0K84V5eY-EyQ
15:15 Report: 26-member mountain climbing group facing difficulties below Zugspitze peak
A 26-member mountain climbing team reportedly faces difficulties several hundred meters short of the Zugspitze summit. According to BR, 60 centimeters of fresh snow have fallen on the Zugspitze in the past hours. It's raining incessantly in the valley, and temperatures are below freezing, with visibility measuring around 100 meters. The group has been stuck while attempting to reach the peak, an unexpected move given the inclement weather forecast. Rescue teams have been dispatched to search for the climbers in the snowstorm. The Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mountain Rescue Service has provided this information. The group's overall condition is precarious and they are unlikely to have the necessary equipment. It's uncertain why they chose to attempt climbing the Zugspitze amid the extreme weather forecast.
14:52 Disaster situation declared in the Donau-Ries district
The Donau-Ries area in Bavaria has now declared a disaster situation. The primary purpose is "to pool our resources and act more efficiently and swiftly in preparation for the anticipated water levels," states District Administrator Stefan Roßle in his statement. "We must maintain our composure and stay away from low-lying areas."
14:20 Dam break near Augsburg - Evacuation measures initiated
A breach has occurred at a dam and a dike in the Swabian district of Augsburg, according to the district administration. Residents in specific streets of Diedorf must evacuate their homes. Preparations for evacuating the Anhausen district of Diedorf are currently underway. "Moving to higher floors is no longer enough," they advise. A dam in Burgwalden has collapsed, while a dike at the Anhauser Weiher has succumbed to the water pressure. Residents of affected areas are instructed to leave their homes without delay and independently within the next hour to the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. It's important to stay away from railway underpasses as water may inundate those locations. The situation carries a substantial risk to life.
Markus Söder, President of Bavaria, and Joachim Herrmann, the Interior Minister, will visit the flood-stricken area in Augsburg's Swabian district on Saturday. They plan to get a firsthand look at the flood situation in Diedorf, which the Interior Ministry announced. The visit location was quickly changed due to the ongoing emergency. Initially, they were supposed to visit nearby Fischach. In Diedorf, residents are busy preparing for evacuation. The flood situation is particularly severe in Swabia. After Günzburg, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have also declared a disaster.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Meckenbeuren is worsening. The Schussen river in Meckenbeuren reached 4.72 meters in the afternoon, according to a spokesperson for the municipal office. Officials are hopeful that the peak will be reached soon. During the last flood in 2021, the river level was 4.50 meters. Under normal circumstances, the river carries only 45 centimeters of water. Late on Friday, the municipality of Meckenbeuren advised around 1300 people to leave their homes as a precautionary measure. Most of them stayed with friends or relatives. A few used the emergency shelter. To minimize potential damage, schools, kindergartens, and halls were cleared earlier. Meckenbeuren, a town with 14,000 inhabitants, temporarily closed several bridges.
Read also:
- The water levels in Straubing are expected to reach the highest alert level 4, requiring the deployment of more dam guards and additional sandbags by the emergency services in Bavaria.
- In response to the flood crisis in Bavaria, the German Red Cross has mobilized an additional 100 employees to support rescue operations, joining the 40,000 emergency personnel already deployed by the state.
- International aid is being extended to the flooded regions of Texas, with the Texas Emergency Response Team (TERT) sending additional volunteers to help secure dams and assist with evacuations in the affected areas.
