Augsburg takes a look back: 356 instances of fire department intervention
Augsburg city officials have provided a preliminary assessment of the recent flood damage. Due to heavy rainfall, the fire department in the Augsburg region responded to a total of 356 calls since last Saturday, primarily to address flooded basements, garages, and roads. The extent of damage to sewers, dikes, and roads can't be determined yet, as the flood situation still hasn't completely subsided. Mayor Eva Weber praised the fire department's efforts, stating that long-term measures are necessary for effective flood protection.
At 20:01, Neu-Ulm County lifted its disaster status. County Councilor Eva Treu thanked the emergency services for their dedication, expressing relief that the county had been spared relatively lightly considering its neighboring regions. Over 350 people were evacuated from the area, including refugees, hospital patients, and residents from a nursing home. Cleanup and repair work are still underway.
19:32: Lake Constance's harbors struggle with driftwood, Kressbronn marina employees set up oil spills to prevent debris from entering the marina. The amount of driftwood caused by the floods is much larger than usual, but the harbor team has experience in handling such issues.
19:02: While the Donau levels in Regensburg are receding, albeit at a high level, the Donau level in Kelheim (Lower Bavaria) continues to rise slowly. The final high water mark is expected on Wednesday. The water level in Neustadt is also rising, with a peak due in the evening. The district administration anticipates the water level of the Abens to remain stable in the coming days. Both Mainburg and Abensberg have seen their Abens levels fall below the warning level 1.
18:12: The Rems-Murr-District lifts its disaster alert as the flood situation has improved according to authorities. During the preliminary stage of the disaster alert, the deployment of volunteers from the disaster relief service is ensured. Retention basins are now being drained cautiously.
17:49: The town center, fields, and a playground in Lauffen am Neckar (Heilbronn district) are being flooded with a mixture of feces, oil, drug residues, and other dirt. This is due to the city's sewage system being overloaded by the floods.
17:28: Shipping along the entire length of the Danube in Austria has been suspended. The state waterway authority "via donau" announced this, citing the safety risks posed by the high water levels. The duration of the closure will depend on further rainfall and the water volumes from the tributaries. The Danube flows through Austria for 350 kilometers, from Passau to Bratislava. Some cruise ships are docked in Linz, where the Danube is now overflowing, and traffic restrictions are in place.
17:04: A 32-year-old woman is rescued in the Bavarian flood zone, after being in a tree for more than 52 hours. She was found in Silberwald, Neu-Ulm's wooded area, and a helicopter was used to save her. The woman had been missing since Sunday.
16:55: Residents of Regensburg can expect "another one, two days of tension" as flood levels remain high despite receding. While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, it's predicted that the situation will remain challenging for some time.
The mayor of Regensburg describes the current flood situation in the city as tense. "We've got two more days of genuine unease, genuine worry, that what we've built here on these islands for flood protection will hold," says Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer during a visit by Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder in the Upper Palatinate. The ground on the Donauinseln is "incredibly wet," "wet, squishy," "like jiggly pudding," says Maltz-Schwarzfischer. "So the situation is still tense." The water level of the Danube is high but has not yet dropped. Söder claims that Regensburg is an "experienced, professional, well-prepared" city when it comes to flood protection. However, the groundwater is now pressing against the foundations of the facilities and making them "wobbly."
Meanwhile, in Saxony, Grimma is setting up against potential floods with a massive concrete wall. The city had previously faced flooding in 2002, and is now investing in various safety measures. This includes a deep-reaching concrete wall.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, the flood situation is easing. Even though the water levels are still rising at the Middle Rhine and some parts of the Upper Rhine, the Rhineland-Palatinate State Environment Agency forecast center predicts they'll reach their peak levels throughout today and Wednesday. From there, the water levels are expected to decrease at the Upper Rhine until at least Sunday and at the Middle Rhine until at least the weekend. The water level at the Maxau peg will rise until Wednesday morning, but it will drop at Mannheim. The peak level at the Worms peg has already been reached, while it's predicted to be reached at Mainz on Tuesday evening or overnight. At the Kaub peg, the peak level is expected on the night to Wednesday. Koblenz plans to keep its flood protection measures in place for now, as the city reports. The Mosel peg has slightly decreased, but the forecasting center anticipates the peak level there on Wednesday morning. The predicted level of between 570 and 590 centimeters will actually be below a two-year high.
The Peg in Passau, which reached ten meters according to the flood warning service (HND) at noon, is now falling again. At 3:00, it measures 9.93 meters. Regensburg, as well as several other districts, had declared a disaster situation due to the anticipated deterioration of the flood situation. This allows rescue operations to be better coordinated.
Due to heavy rainfall in Poland, parts of Bielsko-Biala in Silesia are underwater. The mayor has issued a flood warning, as reported by the news agency PAP. The fire department has conducted over 700 interventions. Basements and plots of land are flooded. Two train tracks at the local railway station are blocked, resulting in trains being diverted to other tracks; some lines are even completely inoperable. The city archives and the bus depot of the municipal transport companies are also flooded. The portal "Onet.pl" publishes video recordings showing streets, traffic circles, and a bridge submerged. In the region's rivers, the water level is rising, and at five locations, the crisis center of the regional administration has declared an alarm status. The forecasters from the state weather service expect more heavy rainfall for the rest of the day.
Several people are currently missing in the flooded areas of Bavaria. A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry in Munich mentioned that the number of missing was seven in the morning, five in the early afternoon, and six in the early evening. Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) previously reported that the number of missing individuals in the state was between five and seven during a cabinet meeting in the morning. The situation is "incredibly unstable," as a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry puts it. Among the missing could also be people who have reported themselves to authorities onsite, but their report has not yet been sent to the situation center in Munich. "The precise numbers aren't very reliable," the spokesperson emphasized. A firefighter in Swabia is also among the missing. The 22-year-old was with other emergency responders in a boat near Offingen when they flipped. The others successfully rescued themselves.
In Bavaria, the flood situation remains grave, as indicated by Minister President Markus Söder. He stated this after a meeting in Munich, where it was also revealed that Regensburg and Passau still anticipate the highest water levels of the Danube. Over 60,000 individuals have been involved in the flood response, while over 6,600 evacuations have been required so far. The cabinet also held a moment of silence for the three known victims of the floods. There are up to seven people who are currently missing, and this number might increase.
Meanwhile, Baden-Württemberg's government claims they are well-prepared for floods following recent heavy downpours. "We've been preparing for this for a while now, and we've been proactive," said Minister President Winfried Kretschmann in Stuttgart. Although there was initially resistance, the professional response of the first responders prevented a major catastrophe like the destruction of a power plant.
However, Kretschmann continues to push for a general natural disaster liability insurance. On the other hand, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann remains opposed to implementing this idea. Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister Thekla Walker emphasizes the importance of maintaining existing protective measures. "We have to stay on top of things," she said. Although two individuals lost their lives in Baden-Württemberg, the German Insurance Association is against the introduction of an obligation for flood insurance. (see entry 13 o'clock)
Passau controversially declared a disaster situation due to the worsening flood situation. The Danube water level reached ten meters, while the Inn's peak should reach Passau soon, according to a city spokesperson. The city has several streets and squares closed and cancelled school lessons. Bus traffic has been impacted, with connections to the old town entirely shut down. The center of Passau is particularly affected, as it is where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers converge. The severe flood situation in Bavaria is worsening alongside the Danube.
In Lower Bavaria, a woman managed to swim in the floodwaters of Deggendorf at a pedestrian underpass. City fire inspector Tim Rothenwöhrer mentioned that individuals disregard barriers and attempt to capture selfies in flooded areas, which is now commonplace. The city is urging citizens to obey swimming bans in flood-affected areas and implores them to show patience. The swimming season in Deggendorf starts on Thursday.
For German insurers, the floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg will be a significant event. "Based on the images we've seen from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, there's a lot of destruction,” remarked the managing director of the German Insurance Association (GDV), Jörg Asmussen. "Our companies are already receiving a lot of damage reports." However, it's too early for a detailed assessment of the damage. "We can't provide an estimate until the water levels decrease everywhere," he stated. In 2011, the floods in Saarland cost insurers approximately 200 million euros. The financial impact on companies depends on the percentage of homes that are insured for such natural disasters. In Bavaria, it's 47 percent, while in Baden-Württemberg, it's 94 percent. Prior to 1994, there was a compulsory state flood insurance. Asmussen advises against new political demands for obligatory flood insurance. "This was not a private-sector solution, and the premiums didn't accurately reflect the actual risk," he claimed. "Insurance alone is not the answer." While flood protection remains a priority, Asmussen calls for building bans in at-risk areas and better dams. "Only then can we break the cycle of rising damages and rising premiums," he mentioned. [a]
[a] The "13 o'clock" reference likely alludes to the German usage of the 13:00 format for time, so the phrase "see entry 13 o'clock" fat ally refers to reading the relevant information earlier in this text.
Prime Minister of Bavaria, Markus Söder, announced a financial aid package of 100 million euros plus additional funds during a cabinet meeting in Munich. The relief fund is intended to assist individuals, businesses, and farmers affected by the recent flood disaster. Residents and commercial enterprises can receive up to 5,000 euros in immediate aid, while companies and self-employed individuals may claim between 5,000 and 200,000 euros in assistance. Reimbursements will be given up to 100% if there's an existential threat, with insurance payments taken into account.
On the Danube, the water level in Passau almost reached the ten-meter mark at noon, with the flood warning service reporting 9.95 meters. This surpassed the forecasted 9.50 meters and led to flooding in built-up areas. In Passau, the water level reached the level of the 2005 flood by the afternoon.
The German Weather Service (DWD) predicted that most of the flood-affected areas would remain dry for the next few days, with occasional showers and thunderstorms. The meteorologist Robert Hausen stated that while these storms would not be heavy and er statement_marked_down: apply_tags: [climate, disaster, europe, germany, rain, rivers, weather]
Stable Weather Predicted After Bavaria Flood
Prime Minister of Bavaria, Markus Söder, declared that his region would provide 100 million euros as well as "plus X" in flood relief. This financial aid is intended to help private households, commercial enterprises, self-employed individuals, and farmers suffering from the recent disastrous floods. In the words of Söder, it's the state's mission to "help quickly and bureaucratically" and ensure that no one is left "alone in times of need." He also urged the federal government to fulfill its promises and offer assistance.
According to the Bavarian concept, households are eligible to receive up to 5,000 euros in immediate aid, and up to 10,000 euros for damaged residential buildings. These amounts can be adjusted based on insurance coverage. For companies and self-employed individuals, the immediate aid ranges between 5,000 and 200,000 euros. The sums might be lower if reimbursed, depending on insurance agreements.
The levels of the Donau in Passau exceeded 9.50 meters, nearly reaching the ten-meter mark. In the afternoon, the flood warning service (HND) had reported a water level of 9.95 meters. This development was not what they'd predicted, as they'd intended for the watermarks to hit somewhere between 8.50 and 9.50 meters. This would've meant significant flooding across many areas. The mark of 8.50 meters had already been reached in Passau when the afternoon progressed.
Robert Hausen, a meteorologist from the German Weather Service (DWD), stated that the southern Germany's weather forecast would remain mostly dry until Thursday. Although there might be some occasional showers and thunderstorms, DWD's experts don't expect them to be severe. The weather situation will change come Friday, potentially leading to rain and even thunderstorms, but not on the scale experienced in the recent days. Hausen mentioned that it's too early to predict rainfall trends, so it's crucial to watch out for updates. He expressed hope that the water levels would have stabilized by the time the weather changes.
Bavaria is cautiously optimistic as the flood situation improves. The state's officials shared that while they still confirm a tense situation, there are no more severe rainfall forecasts. Some water levels are expected to reduce considerably. The area of concern lies on the Danube, where the status is steadily improving, but still, high water levels are expected between Kelheim and Passau until Wednesday.
The police reported a rising death toll due to the flood, currently standing at five, both in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In the small town of Markt Rettenbach in Bavaria, a woman was killed after ignoring roadblocks and steering her car onto a flooded field. This was in the late afternoon when the water level was high enough to envelop her vehicle. The woman had called for help when her car began filling with water, and eventually succumbed to the situation. Her death was confirmed by a medical professional. There were previously four reported flood-related fatalities.
The Autobahn 9, which had been barred from traffic due to a dam break in Upper Bavaria, is now open in both directions without limitations. Prior to this reopening, only 300 vehicles were allowed on the section between Ingolstadt-South and Langenbruck after the blockade control was set up.
Several other roads remain closed due to flooding. The B16 between Manching and Ernsgaden, for instance, cannot be accessed.
Due to heavy rainfall, the Rhine has become largely inaccessible in several areas of Germany. According to a spokesperson for the Rhine Waterways and Shipping Office (WSA), the entire Middle and Upper Rhine is now closed for shipping. While the Upper Rhine was closed at the start of the week in locations like Maxau, Mannheim, and Worms, parts of the Middle Rhine are now affected, including Mainz and Bingen. Ships have either docked or are currently in ports, waiting for the water levels to decrease. The peak is expected sometime this afternoon or evening, with the Bingen area potentially becoming navigable again by Thursday. The closures are intended to prevent any potential damage to the banks caused by the waves created by the ships.
In other news, DB (Deutsche Bahn) is also experiencing disruptions on several train lines in South Germany. There are delays and interruptions on four specific lines: Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich, Nuremberg-Donauwörth-Augsburg-Munich, Buchloe-Memmingen, and Ulm-Memmingen-Kempten. This has made it difficult to reach Munich from the west and north. Additionally, on other lines such as Munich-Nuremberg-Erfurt-Berlin, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Ulm, Augsburg-Munich, Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt(M), Munich-Lindau-Bregenz-Zurich, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Crailsheim-Nuremberg, Augsburg-Kempten(Allgäu)-Oberstdorf, and Nuremberg-Würzburg, there are individual disruptions as well. The floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria have claimed the lives of at least five victims, including a missing firefighter whose search has been suspended but not entirely ruled out (see also entries at 9:38 am and 6:22 am).
Drone and helicopter searches are currently taking place in order to locate the missing firefighter in Swabia. Police originally believed him to have drowned after his DLRG water rescue boat capsized in strong currents the night before Sunday. He was one of five rescuers on board; the others were reported to be unharmed. However, the search operation has since been temporarily suspended due to high currents and increased risks in the water. The individual in question was 22 years old and was lost near the border with Baden-Württemberg.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Regensburg, Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, is urging people not to engage in flood tourism. Despite the presence of many tourists, she advises against observing the ongoing situation, especially on bridges, as rescue workers might need to use them. Regensburg is currently facing a tense situation, with high groundwater levels and an unstable subsoil endangering evacuations. The high water mark was reached during the night of Monday, and it's uncertain whether the dams and protective structures will hold. "We're in a different situation than in 2013," she explained, citing the high groundwater levels and the instability of the subsoil as contributing factors to the existing critical state of the dams and protective structures.
In the Bavarian city of Passau, the situation is getting more intense by the hour. The city was anticipated to experience a flood peak at 9.50 meters in the afternoon, but the water level has already gone past this point, according to ntv journalist Felix Balß.
07:48 - Firefighting Association: This scale of deployment uncommon
Bavarian fire departments are being utilized to a degree that the Bavarian Firefighters' Association states has never happened before. "This is indeed one-of-a-kind," remarks association chairman Johann Eitzenberger to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." They have a total of 30,000 volunteer firefighters and are making every effort to prevent and minimize damage whenever possible. The situation currently appears to be fairly stable, but who knows what might come next, says Eitzenberger. "There'll also still be a need for specialized skills, such as handling oil from heating tanks."
07:28 - Video: Danube tensions ruin dikes and added walls
Faced with enormous water pressure, parts of the Danube are now jeopardizing dikes and additional protective walls in southern Germany. Passau's city center is currently saturated and closed off.
06:55 - Falkenstein castle relocates - inhabitants relocated
Portions of the Falkenstein castle in Upper Bavaria's Flintsbach are shifting due to unending rainfall. Around 50 people living below the castle have been escorted to safety by the Rosenheim region. The Falkenstein castle ruins near the Austrian border are a preferred hiking attraction. The primary castle Falkenstein was constructed around 1300, as the Chiemsee-Alpenland Tourism Association tells us. The outer castle was built during the 15th and 16th centuries. Following a significant building phase in the 16th and 17th centuries, the complex underwent a transformation into a ruin at the conclusion of the 18th century due to fires. It makes up part of the Petersberg monument complex, which also includes the Roman Peterskirche and the neighboring Mesner House. The extent of the damage to the ruin is still unknown.
06:22 - Rescuers no longer actively seeking missing firefighter
The search for the missing firefighter in the Swabian flooding has become less active. The 22-year-old man is likely to have drowned, according to a police spokesperson. He's likely to be discovered when the water has subsided. The young firefighter was out with a boat from the Swabian DLRG water rescue in Offingen near the border with Baden-Württemberg on Sunday night. The capsized boat had five rescuers aboard, but only four escaped unscathed.
Note: The police later claimed that the search for the missing firefighter would continue (see 09:38 a.m. entry).
06:03 - Stations record "century rainfalls"
At different locations in South Germany, an amount of rain has fallen in the past few days that only occurs every 50 to 100 years. Meteorologist Thomas Deutschländer from the German Weather Service describes these incidents as "century rainfalls." "It's a bit extraordinary, but not completely unheard of." "We still have to examine the data." Occasionally, a station may be missing or produce inaccurate measurements. "Frequently there's still a bit more; the current data are rather conservative."
05:33 - Danube in Passau surrenders nine-meter benchmark
The level of the Danube in Passau has now surpassed the nine-meter benchmark during the night to Tuesday. At 3 a.m., the Hochwassernachrichtendienst (HND) reports a depth of 9.27 meters. On Monday evening, the gauge read 8.83 meters. In accordance with the HND prediction, the peak should be achieved on Tuesday afternoon at 9.50 meters. The Passau old town was closed to vehicular traffic on Monday due to the flood. As soon as the water level reaches 8.50 meters, beaches will start to flood more significantly. Passau reached this level on Monday afternoon.
04:07 - 200 people in Regensburg must leave their homes
Due to the worsening flood situation in Regensburg's city center, 200 residents have been instructed to depart from their homes. "Due to the increasing groundwater pressure in the Werftstraße, there's an immediate risk that the flood defense elements will no longer maintain," says the Bavarian city on its website. Therefore, rescue crews have decided to evacuate every person residing in this street.
02:47 - Flood situation in the southern Rosenheim district ameliorates a bit
The flood situation in the southern Rosenheim district has settled somewhat. The district claims in a statement that schools and preschools in the affected areas will stay shut on Tuesday. In Raubling and Rohrdorf, evacuations have reportedly occurred. Initially, it wasn't known how many people were impacted. The district had earlier declared a catastrophe. Over 1000 emergency personnel from the fire department and the Technical Relief Organization were present, the district also announced. According to a message from the German Meteorological Service, the rainfall in Bavaria is anticipated to lessen throughout the night on Tuesday.
01:28 German Meteorological Service ends storm alerts across Germany
Despite the ongoing flooding crisis in southern Germany, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) has declared an end to all weather warnings in the country. The DWD confirms this information. With heavy rainfall over the past few days, numerous rivers and streams, notably in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, have seen their water levels rise drastically. Entire communities have been submerged, including those affected by dam breaches. At least four people have lost their lives due to the flooding.
00:12 Most water levels in the southwest are dropping
Since the recent floods, water levels are decreasing at most bodies of water in the southwest. The flood forecasting center states that only the major rivers, such as the Danube and Rhine, are still experiencing an upward trend in water levels. A spokesperson announces that no further critical values are forecasted to be surpassed. The Danube from the Hundersingen gauge in Sigmaringen's district, as well as Upper and Upper Rhine, currently hold rising water levels. Meanwhile, the Maxau gauge near Karlsruhe's peak value of 8.29 meters on Sunday is not expected to exceed again. At the Neckar, the trend is reversing.
22:53 People urged to stay home in Rosenheim's district
The Rosenheim district in Upper Bavaria has urged residents to remain inside amid the flooding threat. The district authority warns, "There is imminent danger to life and health." Individuals should avoid spending time outdoors, resist visiting open bodies of water, and refrain from hindering emergency services during their work. On Tuesday, schools in several communities, such as Brannenburg, Raubling, Rohrdorf, Oberaudorf, Kiefersfelden, Nussdorf, Neubeuern, Bad Feilnbach, and Flintsbach will be closed. The North Bavarian State Education Authority will notify the impacted schools. Kindergartens in the affected towns are expected to also remain shut.
21:47 Portions of Falkenstein Castle collapse in Flintsbach
Flintsbach in Rosenheim's district has witnessed parts of Falkenstein Castle collapsing due to the heavy rainfalls. The Rosenheim district administration has issued a report confirming the development. fifty locals who reside beneath the castle must be relocated.
21:08 Wesel's largest campsite to be emptied in 24 hours
The Grav-Island campsite in Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, must be evacuated within the next day due to the challenging flood conditions, according to its operators. The surrounding rivers and waterways' rising levels are the main cause of this response. Grav-Island is the largest campsite in the country, with 5,000 permanent campers.
20:53 Ground softening: Regensburg's Werftstraße under evacuation
Werftstraße in Regensburg will be cleared as of 21:00. The district's city government alerts that parts of the street, situated directly on the Danube, are beginning to crack more and more due to the high groundwater levels. The installed flood barriers risk failing, potentially resulting in the entire street being flooded. Around 200 people inhabiting Werftstraße are being safely extracted some three hours later.
Read more about the prior events here. [link removed]
Read also:
- Despite the flood situation in Augsburg improving, the city's balance sheet will likely reflect significant damages and costs associated with the fire department's 356 interventions during the floods.
- The International Red Cross has set up operations in the Augsburg region, providing aid to families affected by the floods, as well as offering assistance to the local fire department in its flood response efforts.
- In the aftermath of the floods, the Augsburg fire department plans to conduct a live ticker-style update on its operations, providing the public with real-time information on the balance sheet of damages, as well as the department's ongoing efforts to assist residents and businesses impacted by the floods and potential fires caused by electrical malfunctions or gas leaks.
