A severe weather warning has been issued for certain regions in Brandenburg.
Brandenburg faces dangerous thunderstorms; DWD issues second highest warning. The German weather service (DWD) has warned about severe thunderstorms endangering some parts of Brandenburg. The affected districts include Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree. According to DWD, these storms could result in lightning strikes, fallen trees or power lines, objects falling, rapid floods, landslides, and hail.
A3 motorway flooded; partial shutdown in Bavaria. The A3 motorway in Bavaria, near Regensburg, is partially closed due to flooding. Stretches of the road are submerged, and traffic authorities urge caution to motorists, diverting them around the flooded areas. The Upper Palatinate Police Department oversees the situation and is working with local responders to mitigate the situation.
Memmingen prison evacuated due to potential flooding. The prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, is being evacuated as a precautionary measure. There is a risk of flooding due to the river Memminger Ach, which threatens to reach the facility, causing potential power outages. The Bavarian police are assisting in temporarily relocating the approximately 150 inmates to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The evacuation process is complex, with rain flooding access roads. The fire department is also involved, pumping water out of the prison.
Several gauges register heavy rain-induced flooding in Swabia. Persistent heavy rain has led to flooding at various gauges in Swabia and lower Bavaria, causing rivers like the Danube, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, and Regen to rise dramatically. The Hamburgische Wetterwarte (HWN) warns of "hundred-year floods" in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar). The flooding in Wiblingen (Iller) is expected to reach Meldestufe 3 by Saturday. Water levels are still rising in the northern Donau tributaries, including Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab.
Rain raises water levels to level 4 at gauges in Swabia and Lower Bavaria. The consistent heavy rain is causing flooding around the gauges Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and others in Swabia and Lower Bavaria. The Upper Palatinate's water warning service, HND, anticipates reaching levels as high as 4 at the Neu-Ulm and Kelheim gauges. The Regen River in Cham is also expecting a level 4 warning.
Flooding at the Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) expected to peak on Saturday and Sunday. In the Iller region (Meldestufe 3), water levels are anticipated to reach a peak by Saturday and Sunday. The lower Iller region has already experienced a decrease in water levels.
Munich Airport flights run normally despite heavy rain. Although much of Bavaria has experienced torrential rain, operations at Munich Airport remain largely unaffected. In fact, airport operations continue regularly, with no canceled flights as of this time. According to airport representative Robert Wilhelm, the airport's construction minimizes potential disasters. The runway is slightly elevated, has a sunken design, and is equipped with grooves for enhanced water drainage, reducing the threat of aquaplaning. Although concerns exist regarding potential complications over the weekend, the report cites no significant issues expected at the airport.
Söder: "Things are really getting started now." During his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder rallied authorities and volunteers. The state is well-equipped to handle the crisis, commented Söder, who emphasized citizens' immense burden following the storm. "This is not over yet," Söder remarked. "Things are really getting started now." Resources are focused in Swabia, especially with sandbags, and the minister president complimented the tireless efforts of the fire department, Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization, stating," Without the helpers and the helpers, we wouldn't have a chance." He urged citizens to follow evacuation orders, avoid attempting to drive their cars out of garages, and obey other regulations to ensure their safety.
16:35 No more trains at this station
The inclement weather and flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are also disrupting train service. German rail operator Deutsche Bahn reports disruptions and train malfunctions in southern Germany. Two ICE train lines are specifically impacted, an official notes. There will be no trains running between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich throughout Saturday due to the flood. The rail line between Ulm and Augsburg is also affected. For more information on track closures, malfunctions, and delays, visit the train website.
16:12 No more trains in Unterallgäu - Those in need should display a white cloth
The disaster situation extends to the Bavarian district of Unterallgäu. In Babenhausen, part of the mobile phone network has gone down. Anyone in need of assistance who cannot make a call should display a white sheet or cloth in a window to signal their need for help, the district advises. In Babenhausen, people are currently being rescued from their homes with inflatable boats.
15:57 400 THW personnel deployed in South Germany
Due to the excessive rain in South Germany, around 400 personnel from the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are now engaged. The THW in Bonn provided this information. They are tasked with pumping water, securing dams, and evacuating people on a precautionary basis. "With persistent and sometimes heavy rain, the THW is prepared to deploy additional forces," it states. In the stricken areas, water level gauges will also be installed and monitored, the THW continues. "With pending forecasts for flooding in the next few hours, the THW is prepared to mobilize more THW forces." Teams are ready across the country. Each task force consists of roughly 40 THW personnel, who operate three sewage pumps, a power generator, an exploration vehicle, and a command post. Each task force can remove 30,000 liters of water per minute.
15:37 All current flood warnings shown on a map
The following map displays all current flood warnings. The graphics are continuously updated.
15:15 Report: 26-member mountain climbing group stranded below Zugspitze's peak
A 26-person mountain climbing group is reportedly stranded several hundred meters below the Zugspitze's peak. According to a report by Bayerisches Rundfunk (BR), 60 cm of new snow has accumulated on the Zugspitze in recent hours, while heavy rain is pelting down in the valley. The temperature is below freezing, and visibility is at roughly 100 m. Multiple rescue teams have been dispatched to scour for the climbers in the blizzard, as per a report from BR, citing the Bergwacht Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The group is likely exhausted and potentially inadequately equipped. It's unclear why they tried to ascend the Zugspitze given the extreme weather forecast.
14:52 Disaster situation declared in Donau-Ries District
The Donau-Ries district in Bavaria has likewise enacted a disaster situation. This measure aims to "bring all forces together and prepare more rapidly and efficiently for the anticipated water levels," explains District Administrator Stefan Roßle in a statement. "It's crucial to maintain calm and avoid low-lying areas as much as possible."
14:20 Dam breaches near Augsburg - Evacuation underway
In the Swabian district of Augsburg, a dam and a dike have collapsed. The district administration announced this news. Residents in several streets of Diedorf must vacate their homes. An evacuation is being organized in the Anhausen district of Diedorf. "It's no longer sufficient to move to higher floors." In Burgwalden, a dam has collapsed and the Anhauser Weiher's dike has given way. All residents in the affected areas are advised to leave their homes independently over the next hour. Officials urge people to steer clear of Railway underpasses. Floodwater may flow there, prompting a potential fatality risk.
Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder and State Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann are set to inspect the flood-hit region in the Swabian district of Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU politicians aim to personally assess the flood situation, as the Interior Ministry revealed. District Administrator Martin Sailer is also participating in the visit. The location was last-minute switched due to the circumstances. Initially, the politicians intended to visit neighboring Fischach, which is also severely afflicted by flooding. In Diedorf, evacuation preparations for residents are presently underway. The flood situation in Swabia is especially critical due to the heavy rainfall. After the district of Günzburg, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have now declared a disaster.
In the town of Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis, floodwater levels are increasing. Currently, the water in the Schussen River stands at 4.72 meters, says a public official. Authorities hope the peak level will be hit soon. In comparison, during the previous flood of 2021, the river reached 4.50 meters. The normal water level here is just 45 centimeters. On Friday, roughly 1,300 residents were cautioned by the local authorities to evacuate from their homes. Many have chosen to stay with friends or family. Not too many folks opted for the emergency shelter. To avoid any flood damage, schools, daycare centers, and community buildings were cleared out early. In this area, authorities have also shut down bridges.
Read also:
- The flood warnings issued by DWD for Brandenburg are not limited to the affected districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree; other parts of Brandenburg could also be at risk due to severe weather.
- As the International Live Ticker shows, the severe thunderstorms in Brandenburg have had impacts not only on land but also on the roads, such as the partial closure of the A3 motorway in Bavaria due to flooding.
- The Brandenburg's warning for severe weather has triggered a response from various international organizations and governments, including the provision of aid and support for the evacuation of prisoners in Memmingen, Bavaria, due to potential flooding risks.
