Amid Lake Constance lies Meckenbeuren's localities partially submerged.
The areas of Kehlen and Brochenzell in the municipality of Meckenbeuren, within the Bodenseekreis, are now completely submerged. Apparently, the Schussen river has overflowed its banks and engulfed the streets. As per a municipal officer, nearly 1,300 individuals voluntarily evacuated their houses on Saturday to ensure their safety. Some residents remained in their homes, finding refuge in the upper floors. The water level of the Schussen reached more than 4.86 meters on Saturday night. It's been gradually reducing since then. Typically, this river is just 45 cm deep at that location.
The Bavarian Prime Minister, Markus Söder, has paid tribute to a firefighter who died while conducting a rescue operation in the Bavarian flood region in a Facebook post. "His dedication and commitment to fellow humans will never be forgotten," Söder writes. "Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with the family members and colleagues. We all grieve." According to reports, this 42-year-old volunteer firefighter perished when a rescue boat overturned near the towns of Affalterbach and Uttenhofen as a consequence of a submerged house.
Due to incessant rainfall, Ukraine's national football team had to shift their final practice session, slated for Sunday at 18:00 at Nuremberg's Max-Morlock-Stadion, to Erlangen instead. The reason for this change was to protect the grass on the stadium lawn, explained a Ukrainian team spokesperson. Ukraine will face Germany's national football team in an EM test match on Monday (8:45 pm on ARD).
Along with the Schussen river, Munich also faces the consequences of the constant rainfall. Since Saturday at 6:00 a.m., the Munich fire department has been called in to address more than 290 firefighting operations. Primarily, firefighters were tasked with draining flooded basements and cellars. Additionally, several trees were uprooted due to overly moist soil, and roads needed to be closed. The flood warning level 2 of the Isar surpassed on Saturday night.
As Anhausen's flood situation stabilizes, residents who had been evacuated are slowly returning home. However, water levels remain critical in other locations.
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) is sending additional personnel to assist in the flooded regions in South Germany. Currently, over 1,800 individuals are engaged in dam secularization, sandbag filling, and evacuation support. In parallel, the fire department and other emergency services are also active.
A landslide in Baden-Württemberg is now removing obstacles from the train and car routes.
The flood situation in sections of Germany continues to concern people, especially in the southern parts of the country, where the water masses wreak havoc. In the east of Baden-Württemberg, there's a risk of a century-flood. Even rescue teams find it difficult to manage the situation.
In the early morning, the ICE train stranded due to the landslide in Schwaebisch Gmuend will be retrieved. The regional train cannot be operated on the first track because of this, said a spokesperson. There's a rescue locomotive on the second track, ready to help with the recovery process. It's uncertain how long the disruption will last. The regional train finally managed to pass through the derailed ICE.
In Schrobenhausen, one person is missing after being in the cellar when the floods hit. The cellar and sections of the first floor are currently under water, stated a spokesperson from the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district office. Rescue teams cannot currently gain access to the house.
A firefighter perished in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria. He and three colleagues capsized in a rescue boat and was discovered dead the next morning, as per the district office spokesperson.
The flood continues to move downstream, prompting more level 4 alerts in various locations.
With heavy rain and floods causing extensive damage in different regions, rescuers and helpers are at their limits.
In Bavaria, there are various markers that indicate the severity of the floods, specifically at level 4. These markers can be found in regions such as the southern Donau tributaries of Gunz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm and Amper, and the upper Danube. These areas have already reached their peak levels. As the wave moves downstream, the focus will shift from Swabia to Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. Places like Neuburg, Kelheim, and Regensburg may be affected, but the highest waves are expected to reach these areas toward the beginning of the week. Predicted to be impacted largely are Muellried in the Schrobenhausen district, as well as Manching and Geisenfeld in the Pfaffenhofen district along the Ilm, and Abensberg in the Kelheim district.
06:54 The Meteorological Service anticipates more rain in the south
Large parts of both Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg could experience heavy thunderstorms with significant rainfall on Sunday. The Meteorological Service's forecast suggests such conditions from midday to late Monday night, which could lead to inundated streets, cellars, and potential lightning damage.
05:39 Expanding evacuation notices in Augsburg
The authorities in the flooded areas of Augsburg, a district in Bavaria, are escalating their evacuation orders. Residents of Kuhlenthal and Allmannshofen are urged to leave their homes immediately, as noted by the Integrated Control Center in the early morning hours. Buses are being provided for those who cannot leave on their own. During the night and evening, other residents of the district were also urged to evacuate. Areas near the Schmutter River, a tributary of the Danube, are especially affected.
05:05 Wiesbaden prepares for rising water levels on the Rhine and Main
Wiesbaden's authorities are implementing measures amidst the anticipated rising water levels in the Rhine and Main regions. In Kostheim, a flood protection wall has been established, according to the fire department at dawn. A pump has been installed in the Schierstein district facing the Rhine as well. Avoiding parking lots near the river is recommended due to potential dangers. At present, it's anticipated that no further steps will be required.
04:04 Rail travel between Stuttgart and Munich halts due to landslide in Schwabisch Gmuend
No long-distance train traffic is possible between Stuttgart and Munich due to a landslide in the Baden-Wuerttemberg town of Schwabisch Gmuend. A railroad representative cannot estimate how long the line will be closed in the morning. This is because a landslide has blocked the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, which has already led to the cessation of long-distance traffic between Ulm and Augsburg due to the flood in southern Germany.
03:13 THW in Ulm manufactures 30,000 sandbags
Units of the Technical Relief Organization in Ulm have been producing sandbags for affected and potential flood areas in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria throughout the night. Head of the THW logistics center, Bernd Urban, stated that they can fill 400 sandbags per hour. Requests for sandbags come from various areas of operation in the southwest and the neighboring state. Hefty rainfall has led to increased water levels at several locations in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria.
02:25 Red Cross sends water rescue teams from Unterfranken to Gunzburg
The Bavarian Red Cross is sending water rescue teams from Unterfranken to support the ongoing mission in Swabia. These specialists, including two boat and diving teams, are expected to be deployed in Gunzburg, where floods have reached the height of a once-in-a-century flood or exceeded it. This means that the flood level is met or surpassed statistically every hundred years.
A landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, has struck a car. Police reveal that the car's driver remained unharmed. The accident happened near where the road and railway parallel. Schwäbisch Gmünd is roughly 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. For a few days, heavy rain has fallen in various parts of Baden-Württemberg.
Neu-Ulm has reportedly surpassed the high water mark of the Danube and Iller rivers, according to an estimate by the city officials. Their fear of a 100-year flood did not come true. Mayor Katrin Albsteiger commented in the evening that they would only know the extent of the damage once the situation stabilizes. Two streets, the Donau and Iller river edges, and the cycling routes along the Danube and Iller are presently closed.
The Munich Fire Department issued a warning about the danger at the Isar riverbank due to high water levels. In addition, two well-known footpaths along the Isar have been shut down. The river has reached Meldestufe 2, which indicates flooding in unbuilt-up areas or minor traffic disruptions on roads.
Firefighters and rescue teams are set to evacuate approximately 670 people in Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria. Tractors and boats are employed in the Mühlried district and a road near the Weilach river. The district administration also established a hotline for emergencies. The municipality had previously proclaimed a state of emergency. District Administrator Peter von der Grün claimed that the circumstance is most concerning in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district.
Numerous interventions by the fire brigade are taking place in eastern Thüringen due to significant rainfall and thunderstorms. The Gera control center reported this. Ronneburg in the Greiz district is experiencing flooded streets, fields, and flooded cellars. In Gera's Liebschwitz district, a tiny stream overflowed.
There has been a small respite from heavy rainfall in the southern regions of Germany, as per the German Meteorological Service (DWD). According to a DWD meteorologist, "Tonight, we won't receive the extensive rainfall we experienced last night." However, the north is witnessing fresh showers and thunderstorms, which might cause localized flooding, especially in the afternoon on Sunday. These showers might be very intense and slow-moving. "If they fall on the ground already full of water, there will be rapid flooding," says the meteorologist. The areas most at risk from the coming rainstorms on Sunday are the Swabian Alb, areas north of it, and regions surrounding Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.
A disaster scenario has been declared in Freising due to overflowing rivers and streams. The district announced this in the evening. The Amper and Glonn rivers are thought to be at hazard for record-breaking water levels, as the district administration reported. The municipality is concerned about a massive flooding in Hohenkammer, as well as in all towns along the Amper. Citizens are advised to prepare for such an extreme situation early on and, for instance, also to empty their cellars. Thus far, ten Bavarian districts have decreed a disaster situation.
Due to continuous rainfall, the Dillingen district in southern Bavaria has declared a disaster situation. The district office informed this in the evening. The situation at the Zusam, a tributary of the Danube, worsened. The local crisis squad appealed to the Bundeswehr for support. Experts predict a 100-year flood on the small river, which can influence the nearby towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. While the authorities are preparing to release water from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom, the former natural floodplain of the river, the district office implores local farmers to keep their livestock in secure stables.
8:09 PM: Eighth commune in Bavaria declares emergencyThe district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen declares an emergency as the eighth commune in Bavaria faces disaster. The culprit is the swelling of the Danube and its tributaries, as informed by the upper Bavarian municipality. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt anticipates level 4 at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation is dire not only at the Danube but also at the Paar, one of its tributaries, and the Weilach, which flows into the Paar. As per the municipality of Schrobenhausen, the Weilach has already overflowed in the city district of Muhlried and has flooded a residential area. Emergency services are preparing the evacuation of residents, as confirmed by Landrat Peter von der Gruen. The situation gets more alarming in the southern part of the district. Von der Gruen stressed the need to prioritize the safety of the roads, bridges, and streets, "Only then can the fire department keep responding to emergencies."
8:34 PM: Life-threatening situation: Red Cross rescues people from roof with helicopterThe Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) has saved two individuals from the roof of their house in Babenhausen using a helicopter. The spokesperson for the BRK described the situation as life-threatening. The house in the Unterallgaeu district was in danger of collapsing due to the vast water masses. Other residents were also transported from their homes using inflatable boats. The rescuers have brought more than 100 people to safety, including multiple children.
8:13 PM: People in several locations near Augsburg urged to evacuate their homesWater rescuers had to free people from their cars as well. The spokesperson noted that such a situation can quickly turn deadly due to the current and rising flood water in the vehicles.
In multiple municipalities of the Augsburg district, residents are urged to leave their homes and apartments because of the intense flooding. The spokeswoman for the Augsburg district administration believes that the situation will worsen in the north by evening. Affected areas include sections of Babenhausen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire village of Nordendorf. The Swabian government has established an emergency shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
7:48 PM: Bundeswehr aids in managing floods in BavariaBundeswehr soldiers are helping to manage the flooding in Bavaria. "The Bundeswehr is assisting the two districts of Gunzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, as both districts have filed an official request," a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Army Command tells radio station Antenne Bayern. "Near Gunzburg, blankets and field beds are being distributed. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, about 50 female and male Bundeswehr soldiers are expected in the next few hours. Additionally, two military vehicles are in use."
7:20 PM: Faeser guarantees extra help for flooded areas in South GermanyFederal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser swears further support for the regions flooded in South Germany. "Due to the consistent heavy rain and imminent floods, the THW is ready to send more forces nationwide," the SPD politician says in Berlin. "We will continue to help the affected states with all the resources at our disposal." Faeser confirms that 520 THW responders and helpers are already active. They are rescuing people, securing dikes, and combatting floodwaters. Faeser also praised the dedication of the emergency responders, who are working relentlessly to save lives. Residents in the flood-stricken villages of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg should adhere to the warnings of the authorities, counsels Faeser. "Take these warnings seriously!"
7:05 PM: 29 climbers rescued at ZugspitzeThe climbers stuck at the Zugspitze (see Live Ticker entry at 3:15 pm) have been successfully rescued. The mountain rescue service reports that 29 climbers have been escorted to safety at the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at Zugspitzplatt. Multiple groups had sent distress calls. They were stuck approximately 900 meters before the Sonnalpin at an altitude of about 2500 meters because of the deteriorating weather and new snow. The mountain rescue service was immediately deployed. Employees from the Zugspitzbahn were also en route to search for the climbers, states a spokeswoman for the Zugspitzbahn.
7:42 PM: Severe storm warning for parts of BrandenburgThe German Weather Service (DWD) issues an alarm for the potential dangers of thunderstorms in parts of Brandenburg. They have placed the second-highest warning level for the districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree until the evening. Dangers include lightning, falling trees, power lines, objects, rapid road flooding, landslides, and hail.
5:11 PM: Water on the motorway - A3 partially closed
A stretch of the A3 motorway in Bavaria near Regensburg is shut down in both directions, covering approximately ten kilometers between exits Parsberg and Beratzhausen. The road area is submerged in water, confirms a spokesperson for the Upper Palatinate police. "The water is pushing from the fields onto the motorway," says a spokesperson for the traffic police in Regensburg, known as Autobahnmeisterei. Emergency services, including the fire department and police, are on site to handle the situation. Traffic will be diverted, says the spokesperson.
4:51 PM: Prison in Memmingen evacuated
The prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, is evacuating its occupants due to a potential flooding risk. According to the news agency Nonstopnews, up to 150 inmates would be temporarily relocated to Landsberg, Kempten and Augsburg. The Memminger Ach, a small river that runs near the prison, has now transformed into a raging stream and is believed to pose a flood threat, as per reports. Portions of the compound's courtyard are already submerged. This situation could potentially lead to a power outage, prompting prison authorities to initiate the evacuation. Emergency vehicles from the police were employed to execute the evacuation, necessitating travel over flooded streets since the access road was already flooded. The fire department also deployed their pumps to drain water from the prison.
4:35 PM: Heavy rains cause gauge levels to rise
Flood conditions are worsening in Swabia, with multiple gauges reaching level 4, considered a flood. Overflow is also reported at several locations along the rivers of Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate. Gauges in Neu-Ulm (Bad Held, Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Dasing (Paar) have all reached this level. The Regen in Cham, Upper Palatinate is also facing peak flood conditions. The flood monitoring service (HND) predicts that the Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) will experience peak water level rise from Saturday to Sunday, while the upper Iller's water levels are already starting to decrease. In the northern Donau tributaries like Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, there are individual gauges with levels 1 and 2 flooding. From Neu-Ulm to Kelheim, water levels are expected to reach the high point of level 3 over the course of the day. The Pegel Kelheim is anticipated to follow suit. In the further Donau section, from Passau, incremental increases up to level 2 are projected.
4:23 PM: Despite the rain, Munich Airport keeps functioning normally
Rain in various parts of Bavaria hasn't caused disruptions to operations at Munich Airport. So far, no cancellations have taken place. Several factors contribute to the continuation of operations. "We can see water standing in the meadows adjacent to the runways," said Robert Wilhelm, airport spokesperson, to BR. Munich Airport boasts an elevated build and features sunken runways. These runway depressions facilitate drainage, preventing any imminent risk of aquaplaning. Wilhelm added that the runways are separately designed with grooves that help in speeding up water drainage. He informed the Bavarian broadcaster that there are no immediate concerns for the remainder of the weekend.
4:07 PM: Söder: "Things are really getting started"
Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder is assessing the dire situation in heavily impacted Swabia. He offers his appreciation to the rescuers and authorities during his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district. Söder described the state as 'crisis-tested', claiming it's "an extreme burden" for the residents. He stated that the storm's focus is currently in Swabia, compiling resources like sandbags to address the issue. "Without the helpers, we wouldn't stand a chance," he appealed to services such as the fire department, Bavarian Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. He stressed the need for the public to follow instructions. Evacuation orders are existent, he cautioned, urging people not to re-enter basements or try to pull their cars out of garages.
3:35 PM: No trains due to storms and floods
The storms and floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria also affect rail traffic. Deutsche Bahn has announced disruptions and cancellations for trains in South Germany. Which two ICE lines are primarily affected, as per a spokesperson? There'll be no trains between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich the entire day on Saturday due to the flooding. The line between Ulm and Augsburg is also disrupted. Other information on rail closures, cancellations, and delays can be found on the Bahn website.
4:12 Emergency situation in Unterallgäu too - Those in need should hang out a white cloth or sheet
The emergency situation has reached the Bavarian district of Unterallgäu. In the town of Babenhausen, part of the mobile phone network has failed. Anyone requiring assistance and unable to make an emergency call should hang a white sheet or cloth out their window to attract attention to their need, says the district administration. People are being evacuated from their homes in Babenhausen by inflatable boats.
3:57 Over 400 THW forces in action in Southern Germany
In the context of the storms in South Germany, approximately 400 THW (Technical Relief Organization) forces are currently engaged. The THW in Bonn reports this. They are draining water, securing dams, and evacuating individuals ahead of time. "Due to the persistent and sometimes intense rain, the THW is preparing to dispatch additional THW forces specifically," it notes. In the affected regions, mobile flood gauges are being set up and monitored. "Given the future weather predictions and anticipated floods imminent over the coming hours, the THW is prepared to dispatch more THW forces," it states. Teams are on standby throughout the country. Each relief group comprises around 40 THW members who operate three sump pumps, a generator, an exploration vehicle, and a command post. Each relief group can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.
3:37 All flood warnings compiled on this map
This map displays all active flood warnings. It is regularly updated.
3:15 Report: 26-member climbing group stuck below Zugspitze summit
An alleged 26-member mountain climbing group is currently reported to be stuck some hundreds of meters below the summits of the Zugspitze. BR states that 60 cm of new snow has fallen on the Zugspitze in the last few hours, while heavy rain is falling in the valley. Temperatures remain below freezing, and visibility is roughly 100 meters. Several search teams have been dispatched to find the climbers amid the blizzard, according to BR, citing the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mountain Rescue Service. The group is said to be exhausted and likely not fully equipped. It's unclear why they chose to climb the Zugspitze despite the ominous weather forecast.
2:52 Disaster situation declared in Donau-Ries District
The Donau-Ries District in Bavaria has declared a disaster situation. This measure aims to "gather all forces and prepare for the expected water levels more efficiently and rapidly," explains District Administrator Stefan Roßle in a statement. "It's crucial to maintain calm and avoid low-lying areas as much as possible at this time," Roßle adds.
2:20 Dam rupture near Augsburg - Evacuation held in readiness
A dike and a dam have burst in the Swabian district of Augsburg. The district administration has announced this. Residents in certain streets in the town of Diedorf are instructed to leave their homes. Due to the high water levels, an evacuation is being organized in the Anhausen district of Diedorf. "It is no longer adequate to move to higher floors," the district administration in Augsburg reports. A dam has also burst in Burgwalden and a dike at the Anhauser Weiher has been compromised. All residents of the impacted areas should leave their homes independently within the next hour and go to the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. The authorities also advise avoiding railway underpasses. Floods could flow there. There is a risk to life.
Soeder and Herrmann visit the flood zone in Augsburg
Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann will visit the flood-stricken area in the Swabian district of Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU politicians seek to witness the flood situation firsthand in Diedorf. The district administrator of Augsburg, Martin Sailer, will also participate in the tour. The location of the visit was modified at short notice due to the circumstances. Previously, the politicians had planned to visit the similarly impacted Fischach. In Diedorf, evacuations for residents are currently being facilitated. The flood conditions are particularly severe in Swabia. Following the district of Günzburg, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have now both declared disaster situations.
Flood situation in Meckenbeuren remains precarious
The flood situation in Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis continues to deteriorate. The height of the Schussen river reached 4.72 meters in the afternoon, information provided by a municipal spokesperson explains. They hope that the peak will be reached soon. At the last flood in 2021, the river reached 4.50 meters. Typically, it carries 45 cm of water. On Friday evening, the municipality advised around 1300 people to evacuate their homes as a precaution. Most residents have gone to stay with friends or family. Only a very small number used the emergency shelter. To prevent possible damage from flooding, schools, daycare centers, and community halls were emptied. In the municipality of 14,000 residents, bridges were also closed for safety reasons.
