Severe weather approaching: get ready for high winds and heavy rain. - Amidst an influx of water, Baden-Württemberg faces challenges.
Severe rainfall that the ground can no longer soak up: Throughout the state, emergency responders in Baden-Württemberg are addressing the aftermath of the heavy downpour. People in affected areas were forced to evacuate their homes, and main highways were closed due to brown floods. Thousands of emergency personnel have been working non-stop since Friday. Ten thousand sandbags were stuffed. Rainfall has eased overnight in many regions, but stormy thunderstorms are now moving through.
Flooded communities
Sections of the town of Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis are still submerged despite all efforts. The river Schussen has overflowed its banks in the neighborhoods of Kehlen and Brochenzell, flooding streets. A municipal spokesperson announced on Sunday that there were no injured individuals initially.
Around 1300 people were asked to leave their homes and find safety on Saturday. This was a voluntary evacuation. Some residents stayed in their homes and sought refuge in the upper levels, they said.
The water level of the Schussen rose to more than 4.86 meters on Saturday night. This meant the river was carrying more water than ever before. Since then, the water level has seen a slow decline. Normally, the Schussen is only 45 centimeters deep at this location.
Over one thousand emergency calls related to the weather in the Ravensburg district
Since Friday, there have been about 1100 weather-related emergency calls in the Ravensburg district. More than 230 rescue and emergency teams are in action, as reported by the district. The primary focus has shifted from Allgäu to Schussental. The flood danger remains high. In Wangen im Allgäu, the flower show was forced to close on Saturday due to the flood risk.
Storm results in train derailment - ICE train derails
On Saturday evening, two ICE wagons, carrying 185 passengers, derailed near Schwäbisch Gmünd due to a landslide. The passengers were unharmed and safely evacuated overnight on Sunday. Schwäbisch Gmünd is approximately 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. The single-track railway line has been restored, although only low speeds are allowed. The ICE was removed from the tracks and is now waiting to be towed. It's unknown how long the disruption will last.
Suspension of shipping traffic - high water levels
Shipping traffic on the Upper Rhine between Iffezheim (Rastatt district) and Germersheim has been suspended. This was confirmed by the Baden-Württemberg Flood Control Center (HVZ). The Rhine gauge in Maxau near Karlsruhe has exceeded the critical mark of 7.50 meters. The Neckar gauge is also anticipated to rise further. The HVZ anticipates a flood in Heidelberg every five to ten years. Shipping could be halted along a large portion of the Neckar if the gauge in Mannheim reaches 7.60 meters. Additional rivers and streams in Baden-Württemberg may rise rapidly and considerably on Sunday, the expert warned.
Drinking water supply contamination leads to boil water notices in parts of Rems-Murr-Kreis and Ostalbkreis
Rainwater seeping into the drinking water supply caused boil water orders in two locations in the Rems-Murr-Kreis and one location in the Ostalbkreis as of Saturday evening. This affects specific regions in Altdorf, Kaisersbach, and Gschwend, as reported by the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. Infectious agents are present, potentially impacting around 100 households. A spokesperson for the responsible water supply company confirmed this information.
Landslide in Bad Urach
A landslide in a residential area of Bad Urach, about 30 meters in length, occurred on Saturday evening due to heavy rainfall. At least two dozen people were evacuated from their homes. This was confirmed by a police spokesperson. The homes can't be entered yet.
Increased assistance for emergency response teams
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) has significantly increased the number of its relief workers in the flooded regions of Southern Germany. As of Sunday morning, over 1800 workers were active. The helpers are securing dams, aiding in the filling of sandbags, and assisting with evacuations of residents in flooded zones. Other emergency services, fire departments, and the THW are all on the scene. Bavaria is also experiencing the persistent rain.
Further help for relief workers
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) has dramatically increased their relief workers in the flooded regions of Southern Germany. As of Sunday morning, over 1800 workers were present. The helpers are fortifying dams, filling sandbags, and aiding in evacuations of residents in flooded areas. In addition to the THW, fire departments and various emergency services are also working. Bavaria is also affected by the ongoing rain.
On Sunday, as reported by the German Weather Service, the area will experience another round of rain and thunderstorms. In some areas, there may be heavy downpours. The DWD specifically cautions about potent thunderstorms in the administrative districts of Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. The risk of lightning strikes and uprooted trees is real. Roof tiles and tree limbs might come loose, and additional flooding is a possibility. The DWD advises staying away from outdoor locations.
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- In response to the impending severe weather in Baden-Württemberg's Southwest, operational forces have been mobilized to deal with the high winds and heavy rain.
- The flood situation in Baden-Württemberg has led to emergency responders working tirelessly since Friday, with over 10,000 sandbags deployed in various affected areas.
- Despite continued efforts, sections of Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis, known as the Lake Constance district, are still underwater due to the Schussen River overflowing its banks.
- The severe weather also brought about difficulties in Ravensburg, with approximately 1100 weather-related emergency calls reported since Friday, resulting in the deployment of over 230 rescue and emergency teams.
- The flood danger remains high in the Schussental area of Ravensburg, leading to the closure of the flower show in Wangen im Allgäu due to the flood risk.
- In Stuttgart, heavy rain caused disruptions to the regional ICE train service, leading to a train derailment near Schwäbisch Gmünd, where 185 passengers were evacuated safely.
- Meanwhile, in the Northeast of Baden-Württemberg, the Upper Rhine shipping traffic has been temporarily suspended due to high water levels that have exceeded the critical mark in Maxau near Karlsruhe.
- The persistent rainfall has led to contamination of the drinking water supply in parts of the Rems-Murr-Kreis and Ostalbkreis, necessitating boil water notices for specific households in Altdorf, Kaisersbach, and Gschwend.
- The landslide near Bad Urach, caused by the heavy rain, has forced the evacuation of at least 24 residents from their homes, with damage assessments and repairs underway.
- As the severe weather persists, the German Weather Service has issued a warning for more rain and thunderstorms in the administrative districts of Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, cautioning against outdoor activities due to the potential risk of lightning strikes, uprooted trees, and further flooding.
