At 11:33 in Austria, two more lives were tragically lost
According to police reports, two more individuals have met their demise due to floods in Austria. A 70-year-old man and an 80-year-old man perished in their homes in communities located in Lower Austria, as per authorities. Both men succumbed to the floodwaters inside their residences. Earlier during Sunday, a firefighter passed away while evacuating a cellar. The region of eastern Austria is experiencing extraordinary conditions, due to continuous rainfall for several days. Over 1800 buildings have been vacated so far, and numerous roads have been closed due to flooding.
11:01: Flood Warning in Wrocław
Following heavy storms and flooding in southwestern Poland, the city of Wrocław in Lower Silesia is preparing for a predicted wave of flooding. Mayor Jacek Sutryk issued a flood warning for the city situated along the Oder River. Measures include 24/7 monitoring of dikes, the regulation of canals, and the cessation of dike passages, as per Sutryk's statement on his Facebook video. The flood wave is expected to reach Wrocław on Wednesday. Previously, forecasts predicted Wrocław would not be as significantly affected. However, the mayor revised these forecasts. Although the flood is not expected to reach the height of the 1997 Oder flood, which submerged one-third of the city, Sutryk mentioned that infrastructure is now in far better condition, with new dikes, retention basins, and polders. He hopes the flood will not breach the city's defenses.
10:35: Leader of the State on the Flood Situation: "It Remains Critical"
Despite an intermittent overnight pause in the rain, the flood situation in eastern Austria remains severe. "It's not over, it remains critical, it remains dramatic," remarks Lower Austria Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. Up to 80 liters of rain per square meter are expected regionally on Monday. A major concern is the durability of the dams. "There is a high chance of dam failure," authorities caution. Public life is mainly halted. More than 200 roads in Lower Austria have been shut, 1800 buildings have been vacated, and numerous students and kindergarten children are staying at home, Mikl-Leitner states. Around 3500 households are currently without electricity. The extent of the damage is currently impossible to assess. "The flood victims will certainly be assisted," the governor says. In Lower Austria, up to 370 liters of rain per square meter have fallen regionally in recent days - several times the typical monthly amount.
10:10 On the Brink of Level Three: The Water Levels of the Elbe Continue to RiseIn Saxony, the water levels of the Elbe continue to rise. According to data from the state flood center, the level in Dresden was 5.54 meters this morning. It is predicted to surpass the six-meter mark later today, which would trigger the second-highest alarm level, three. At this level, inundation of inhabited areas is possible. The level in Schöna on the Elbe near the Czech border has already reached this stage, with a reading of 6.09 meters. Alarm level three is also in effect on the Lusatian Neisse near the Polish border, where the water stood at 5.56 meters, just a few centimeters from the highest alarm level, four. A section of the federal highway 99 in Görlitz has been closed for safety reasons, as per a police spokesperson. The warning level for stage three is 4.80 meters here.
09:49 Centennial Flooding in the Czech Republic: Man Drowns in FloodwatersThe first fatality due to flooding in the Czech Republic has been reported. Authorities are also tracking at least seven missing individuals. A man drowned in the Kalina River in the Bruntal district of Moravia-Silesia, according to police president Martin Vondrasek on public radio. The missing include three people who were carried away in a vehicle near Jesenik in the Hrubý Jeseník mountains. No sign of the vehicle has been found. The other individuals were swept away into various waterways such as the Otava river. A man from a nursing home near the Polish border is also missing. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala described the flooding as a "centennial flood," meaning it occurs statistically once in a century in the same location. Previously, fatalities due to flooding had been reported from other EU countries (see entry 06:40): a firefighter died in Austria, a man in Poland, and six people in Romania.
09:17 Woman Examines Water Level in Görlitz and Tumbles into the NeisseA woman slipped and fell into the Neisse river while investigating the water level in Görlitz. According to initial police reports, the woman accidentally lost her footing at the river's edge near the Parkhotel Merkur and tumbled into the river. She was swept about 700 meters downstream before managing to extract herself near the Vierradenmühle weir. She is now being treated at a clinic for hypothermia.
09:00 THW Gears Up for Significant Flooding Operations on Elbe and OderThe Technical Relief Agency (THW) is readying itself for potential flooding in eastern Germany. "We're readying larger forces for deployment to the Elbe and Oder," confirms THW chief Fritz-Helge Voss on the ZDF "Morning Magazine." He suggests stockpiling a "tiny emergency kit" for those residing in impacted zones. Voss mentions Germany is still anticipating the necessary extreme weather situation and has so far been "fortunate." However, the Elbe, Neisse, and Oder rivers are projected to flood in the upcoming week. Over the weekend, the THW had already mobilized around 140 personnel in Bavaria and Saxony, including at the collapsed Carolabridge in Dresden. Voss highlights that this is the fourth significant flooding situation in Germany this year. He insists it's "necessary" to be well-prepared and invest in equipment. "Ultimately, these are climate adaptation expenses," says Voss.
08:43 Polish Cabinet to Ponder State of EmergencyThe Polish cabinet is set to gather for a crisis meeting on Monday morning due to catastrophic flooding in southwestern Poland. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has drafted a decree to formally declare a state of emergency, but approval from the cabinet is required. Persistent rainfall in southwestern Poland, near the Czech border, has resulted in flooding. Overnight, the town of Nysa in the Opole region was particularly hit. Water from the Glatzer Neiße, a tributary of the Oder, infiltrated the local hospital's emergency room, according to news agency PAP. A total of 33 patients, including children and pregnant women, were evacuated via boats.
08:15 Bavaria: Rain and Rising Water Levels Expected to PersistThe flooding situation in Bavaria remains critical in certain areas, with more rain predicted. The police headquarters report no significant changes in the affected areas overnight. Nevertheless, there's no respite yet: the High Water Information Service (HWIS) expects water levels to surge again with the rainy start to the week. The HWIS anticipates that water levels on the Danube at Passau, the Vils at Vilshofen, and the Isar at Munich will surge again. Improvement is expected from Wednesday. Until Tuesday, the German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts continuous rain from the Alps to the foreland. Widespread rainfall of 40 to 70 liters per square meter is possible, with up to 90 liters in stagnant areas.
07:32 Czech Republic: No Relief in Sight – Water Levels Still RisingThere's no sign of relief in the flooded regions of the Czech Republic. The flood surge on the March (Morava) reached Litovel, approximately 200 kilometers east of Prague. Whole streets were submerged, as reported by CTK news agency. The authorities of the town with nearly 10,000 inhabitants urge the public to stay clear of emergency services. "We expect a further increase in the water level of the river in the coming hours," the mayor warns on social media.
07:03 Dam Breach Leads to Devastating Floods in PolandFear grips Poland in the wake of a dam breach, as the destructive floodwaters approach the Glatzer Neiße region. Video footage captures the ferocity of the raging floodwaters.
06:40 Floods in Europe: Casualties Reported in Poland, Austria, and RomaniaPoland, the Czech Republic, and Lower Austria are grappling with the aftermath of a once-in-a-century flood, and the situation in Romania is also critical after heavy rainfall. At least eight people have lost their lives in various European countries due to flooding: a firefighter in Austria, a man in Poland, and six individuals in Romania.
06:12 Flood Evacuations Needed in the Czech RepublicThe worst storms in decades submerged entire cities such as Jeseník in the Jeseníky Mountains and Krnov on the Polish border over the weekend. In Jeseník, emergency services rescued hundreds of people by boat and helicopter. Once the water receded, there was a risk of landslides in numerous places.
05:49 Vienna Cruise Ship Passengers Stranded
Due to severe flooding on the Danube caused by heavy rain, over a hundred passengers on a Swiss river cruise ship in Vienna are unable to disembark. The Thurgau Prestige, with approximately 100 passengers and 40 crew members aboard, is secured to the shore. Passengers cannot disembark because the gangway to the pier is flooded. Media sources report that other cruise ships in Vienna are also caught in the same predicament. Thurgau Travel stated that local authorities would decide whether and when passengers can disembark, as per passenger reports revealing they must remain on the ship until at least Tuesday. The Thurgau Prestige was slated to journey from Linz to Budapest and return, but it's now stuck in Vienna.
The storm "Anett," internationally known as "Boris," has unleashed torrential rain and flooding in Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, and Romania. At least eight individuals have perished due to the flooding thus far.
In response to the flooding situation in Europe, the Technical Relief Agency (THW) is preparing for potential flooding operations in Bavaria, Germany, stating, "We're readying larger forces for deployment to the Elbe and Oder." Furthermore, according to the text, Bavaria is expected to continue experiencing rain and rising water levels.
In the context of the overall situation, it is worth noting that Bavaria is a region in Germany, and it is one of the numerous regions in Europe that have been affected by the extreme weather conditions and flooding. In this context, mentioning Bavaria as a specific area that the THW is preparing for deployment highlights the widespread impact of the flooding across Europe and the need for extensive emergency response efforts in various affected regions.
