Another municipality in Bavaria announces an emergency situation.
In the district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, an emergency has been declared because the Danube and its tributaries are filling up. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt predicts a level 4 alert at the Neuburg gauge tonight. The area is especially critical around the Paar and Weilach rivers. The district administration confirms that one residential district in Schrobenhausen, Mühldorf, has already been flooded by the Weilach river. Emergency services are preparing to evacuate residents, as reported by District Administrator Peter von der Grün. The situation is most alarming in the south of the district. To clear the way for the fire brigade to continue with rescue operations, road, bridge, and path protection is a top priority.
At 8:34 am, the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) saved two people from the roof of their house in Babenhausen with a helicopter. The house in the district of Unterallgäu was in danger of collapsing due to the large water masses. Other people were rescued from their homes using inflatable boats. The BRK teams managed to save more than 100 people, including many children.
Water rescuers had to free people from their cars as well, who couldn't open their doors due to the water masses. This situation could potentially become life-threatening if they are trapped by the rising water in the vehicle.
In several places near Augsburg, people are being asked to vacate their homes and apartments due to the severe flood situation. The spokeswoman for the Augsburg district administration says the northern part of the district will worsen in the evening. The affected municipalities include parts of Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf. The government of Swabia has opened a temporary shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
Bundeswehr soldiers are being deployed in Bavaria to help fight the floods. The Bavarian Army Command's spokeswoman says two districts, Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, have submitted an official request for support. The Bundeswehr is providing blankets, field beds, and around 50 soldiers to assist in both areas.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has promised the southern German regions affected by flooding with additional support. She explains that the THW - the Technical Relief Organization - is prepared to mobilize more helpers across the country. As of Saturday evening, 520 male and female THW assistance workers are active, having rescued people, secured dikes, and pumped water. Faeser also praised the volunteers: "I would like to thank all those who are currently fighting against the water masses and working tirelessly to save lives." She urged people in the flooded regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to follow the instructions and warnings of the authorities. "Please take these warnings seriously!"
Around 8:13 am, water rescuers had to free people trapped in their cars who couldn't open their doors due to the water masses. The spokesman highlights that this could quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation due to the fast current and increasing water levels in the vehicle.
Near Augsburg, due to the urgent flood situation, people are being asked to leave their homes and apartments. Parts of Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf are affected. The Swabian government has set up a temporary shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
The Bundeswehr is stepping in to aid in flood-affected areas in Bavaria. According to a Bavarian Army Command spokeswoman, Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg districts have made official requests for support. In Günzburg, blankets and field beds are being distributed. In Aichach-Friedberg, a team of 50 Bundeswehr soldiers, both male and female, is expected to arrive as 'helping hands' in the coming hours.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser assures the regions in southern Germany affected by flooding of further assistance. She stresses that with continuous heavy rain and impending floods, the THW is ready to contribute more resources nationwide. So far, 520 female and male THW helpers are in action, saving people, securing dikes, and pumping water. Faeser also expressed her gratitude to the volunteers: "I'd like to thank everyone who's currently working to combat the water masses and putting in long hours to save lives." She advises people in the flood-stricken areas of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to heed the warnings and directions of local authorities. "Please take these warnings very seriously!"
29 mountain climbers stranded at Zugspitze were rescued early and taken to the Sonnalpin restaurant at the Zugspitzplatt. The mountain rescue team had to assist them, and Zugspitzbahn staff members were on the way to help locate the climbers. The challenges at an altitude of about 2500 meters had made it impossible for the climbers to continue on foot due to the weather and new snow.
18:42 Storm alert in Brandenburg regions
Brandenburg experiences a high chance of severe thunderstorms, according to the German Weather Service, or DWD. For specific districts, which include Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree, the DWD has issued its second-highest warning level. Due to these storms, the regions may experience lightning strikes, toppled trees or power lines, falling objects, heavy flash flooding, landslides, and hail.
18:11 A portion of the A3 motorway in Bavaria is flooded
Somewhere close to Regensburg, in Bavaria, a stretch of the A3 motorway is inaccessible for about ten kilometers, spanning the area between Parsberg and Beratzhausen. The road is immersed in water, per a spokesman for the Upper Palatinate Police. "The fields are pushing water onto the motorway," he explained. Regensburg's traffic police have confirmed a presence of the Autobahnmeisterei, fire department, and police on the scene. Traffic will be diverted, according to a spokesperson.
17:51 The prison in Memmingen has commenced evacuation
In response to possible floods, prison officials in Memmingen, Bavaria, have chosen to evacuate the institution. This news comes from the Nonstopnews agency. The facility is home to about 150 inmates. They are being transported to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg as additional accommodations. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the river Memminger Ach, located in front of the prison, has become a rampaging current able to engulf the prison. In addition, some sections of the courtyard are currently submerged. This risks a power outage, so the management has decided it necessary to evacuate. Emergency response vehicles, along with the police, are facilitating a safe evacuation. It was necessary to proceed through flooded streets by the time the approach was already inundated. The fire department added its support as well, pumping water out from the prison.
17:35 Swabian waters have risen to level 4 in several regions
Rapid rainfall is occurring in Swabia, which has resulted in widespread flooding, as recorded by level 4 overflows. Similarly, in Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, rivers have swelled considerably. There are six gauges with levels of 4 in Swabia: Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Feldkirch (Lech). Dasing (Paar) will also likely reach level 4. Additionally, in the Regen river of Cham, Upper Palatinate, the same situation exists. Centennial flooding is evident in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar).
The gauge in Wiblingen (Iller) is expected to experience peak levels of Meldestufe 3 (level 3) during Saturday to Sunday, with the Iller water levels being slightly below Meldestufe 3 in lower areas. In the northern Danube tributaries - Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab - various gauges have levels of 1 and 2, with increasingly powerful surges. By daytime, Neu-Ulm to Kelheim will reach Meldestufe 3, followed by Pegel Kelheim at night. The remaining Danube area, up to Passau, expects increases to Meldestufen 1 and 2.
17:23 Munich Airport remains active despite Bavarian downpours
Munich Airport still manages flights, despite the rain in various Bavarian regions, with no cancellations as of yet. There are a few reasons for this. Airport representative Robert Wilhelm shared with BR that "we see the water standing in the meadows next to the runways." The airport elevation positions it slightly higher. The runways' sunken design facilitates water drainage by directing it towards the edges. Moreover, runways have "grooves," which help to hasten water removal. As a result, no incidences of aquaplaning are expected.
17:07 Soder observes firsthand the Swabian emergency
Bavarian State Premier Markus Soder went to Diedorf in the Augsburg district to observe the emergency response efforts in the severely impacted region of Swabia. He took the opportunity to acknowledge the assistance from various authorities and helpers. Soder stated, "Bavaria has been through its share of crises." He further concurred with Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann: "This is a burden for the people." And added, "We're not finished yet. Matter of fact, things are getting serious." Swabia is currently the focal point of the storm, so resources - such as sandbags - will be distributed there. In gratitude, Soder thanked the rescue services like fire departments, Red Cross, police, and the Technical Relief Organization for their admirable commitment. Soder urged the public: "Follow the rules." Any evacuation orders should be completed before deviating from the space or attempting to retrieve vehicles from garages.
Torrential rains and floods have significantly impacted the regions of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, causing havoc on the region's railways. Deutsche Bahn reported that there are obstructions and cancellations on trains as southern Germany experiences these extreme weather conditions. Particularly affected are two ICE lines, where no trains are running between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich on Saturday due to the flooding. The train line connecting Ulm and Augsburg is also compromised. The rail company's website holds more information on track closures, cancelations, and delays.
In the district of Unterallgäu, a disaster situation now applies as sections of the mobile network have failed. To notify rescuers of their need for assistance, anyone who cannot make an emergency call should hang a white cloth or sheet outside their window or, if possible, make themselves visible at the window. In Babenhausen, people are currently being evacuated from their homes using inflatable boats.
Over 400 staff members of the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are actively engaged in helping with the storms in South Germany. They are pumping water, reinforcing dams, and evacuating people proactively. The THW reported that they are prepared to deploy additional forces based on the continued rainfall. Mobile flood gauges are being installed and monitored in the affected areas as well.
A 26-member mountain climbing team is reportedly stranded several hundred meters below the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. Approximately 60 cm of new snow has accumulated on the peak in recent hours while there is constant rain in the valley. The temperatures are well below freezing, and visibility is only around 100 m. Aerial search teams have been dispatched to seek out the climbers in the blizzard, as mentioned by the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mountain Rescue Service via BR. The group is fatigued, and it is unknown why they decided to ascend the Zugspitze under such adverse weather conditions.
The district of Donau-Ries in Bavaria has likewise declared a disaster situation. This step "aims to bring all forces together more rapidly and efficiently to prepare for the anticipated water levels," explains District Administrator Stefan Roßle. "It is crucial to remain calm and avoid low-lying regions at this time," Roßle states.
A dike and a dam have collapsed in Augsburg's district of Swabia. Residents in certain areas in Diedorf must evacuate their homes. A dam has ruptured in Burgwalden, and a dike at Anhauser Weiher has surrendered. The authorities strongly encourage residents in the affected areas to leave their homes independently within the following hour and make their way to the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Railroad underpasses should also be avoided due to the hazard of flooding.
Minister President Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann plan to visit the flooded area in the district of Augsburg on Saturday. Their purpose is to see the flood situation first-hand. District Administrator Martin Sailer will also be present. The location for the visit was modified unexpectedly due to the current state of affairs. In Diedorf, evacuation preparations are ongoing for residents. The flood crisis is especially critical in the Swabian region, with Aichach-Friedberg and Günzburg joining Augsburg's districts in proclaiming a disaster situation.
The river Schussen in Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis is experiencing a higher flood level as it currently stands at 4.72 meters, a spokesperson for the local authorities stated. It's expected that the peak will come soon. In comparison, during the last flood occurrence back in 2021, the water reached 4.50 meters. Regularly, this river carries 45 centimeters of water. As a preventive measure, the town's administration advised about 1300 residents to leave their homes on Friday evening. The majority of them relocated to stay with friends or relatives, while an insignificant number utilized the emergency shelter. To avert potential water damage, schools, kindergartens, and event halls were cleared out earlier. In this community of 14,000 people, bridges were also temporarily closed.
Read also:
- The International Red Cross has announced they are deploying volunteers to assist in the disaster case in several flooded municipalities in Bavaria.
- The live ticker updates show that the situation in the eighth district of Bavaria, affected by the floods, is escalating rapidly, with more evacuation orders issued for the Paar and Weilach river areas.
- As part of the relief efforts, the Federal Government has pledged support to the disaster-stricken municipalities in Bavaria, especially those along the Danube River, in response to the ongoing International appeal for help in managing the devastating floods in Bavaria.
