Emergency situations - Century-level flood: Airlift and watercraft rescue efforts
People are being saved from homes submerged in water using fireboats and helicopters. Vehicles can be seen floating on brown floodwaters. Hundreds of rescue teams are in operation. It's raining heavily, and parts of Bavaria are being overwhelmed by floods. In seven areas, disaster alerts were declared on Saturday. In some places in western Bavaria, the highest flood warning level 4 was reached, while others are still expected.
Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann visited the storm-stricken Swabian region. They witnessed the situation in Diedorf, one of the worst-hit areas. Söder described the situation as "an extreme burden" for the citizens. "This is not over yet. It's really getting serious now," he said. Resources are being concentrated in Swabia.
Söder thanked the rescuers, saying "without the helpers, we wouldn't have a chance." The rescue efforts have been remarkable. He urged the public to follow safety guidelines.
People in some streets were told to evacuate their houses immediately as flooding was on the rise. "It's not enough to go to higher floors anymore," warned a spokesperson for the Augsburg district administration.
Earlier, a dike at the Anhausen Pond broke, and a dam in Burgwalden ruptured. Authorities warned people to stay away from railway underpasses. Some flooded water may drain there, posing a threat to life. In Fischach, which is part of the Augsburg district, people were evacuated by helicopter. Rescuers found themselves unable to reach some residents due to increasing floodwaters.
The Ministry of the Environment set up a crisis team for floods to coordinate relief efforts across Bavaria. Efforts to secure dams continue. "The situation is particularly serious in many parts of Swabia. The warning services are constantly on alert and monitoring the situation," explained Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber (Free Voters).
Many volunteers worked tirelessly, filling sandbags to protect homes or fortify dams. High-powered pumps were used to funnel water out of danger zones and mitigate the pressure on dams.
Soldiers from the Bundeswehr were on hand to help. The Bavarian Bundeswehr Command announced that the military would aid the rescue teams in Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, responding to official requests for assistance. Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann assured the public that the military would complement, not replace, existing rescue efforts.
The ADAC also pitched in. "We are using all helicopters in Southern Germany," said a spokesperson for the ADAC air rescue. The ADAC air rescue crew has already evacuated people from endangered areas. "We will position more helicopters in Bavaria," the spokesperson continues, adding that experienced crews would also be deployed.
According to the Bavarian flood warning service, water levels have surpassed those of a century-flood in certain locations. A century-flood (HQ100) is a computed value signifying a flood that occurs approximately once a century.
Water levels are still rising in many regions. In the face of constant, heavy rainfall and the impending flood situation, the districts of Günzburg, Augsburg, Aichach-Friedberg, Neu-Ulm, Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Donau-Ries, and Unterallgäu declared a state of disaster.
In Babenhausen, Offenburg, the mobile phone network experienced spotty connectivity. Anyone needing aid but unable to place an emergency call should place a white sheet or cloth out of the window or attempt to make themselves visible. Fishing boats and a helicopter were used to evacuate people in Babenhausen. "It just kept getting worse, and we had no chance," recalled a resident. People needed to leave their homes quickly.
The prison in Memmingen, Bavaria, was evacuated due to the flood. Over 100 inmates, including 20 women, were taken to nearby prisons in Landsberg, Kempten, and Aichach. "We have relocated all inmates," confirmed the head of the prisons in Memmingen and Kempten, Anja Ellinger.
The Donau-Ries district expects more rain, and the highest projected water levels are predicted for Monday. The Danube's water levels are expected to rise considerably in the coming hours. Possible evacuation measures may become necessary, with updates to follow.
In certain areas of Bavaria, rain has accumulated to more than 130 liters per square meter. From Friday until Saturday in the Sigmarszell-Zeisertsweiler region, located in Lindau, this was confirmed by the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach - a whopping 135 liters per square meter was recorded in just 24 hours. Though rainfall has eased in the Lindau area on Saturday, officials along the Danube are bracing for rising water levels. Kelheim's Danube water levels are anticipated to exceed the warning level four, marking the highest level.
Rain is predicted to persist in Bavaria until Sunday. The highest water levels could occur during the night on Monday. The DWD alerts the public of additional storms, forecasting various degrees of rainfall ranging from 100 to 150 liters per square meter in Southwest Bavaria and potentially even higher amounts in southern Swabia. With widespread flooding, water-filled regions, and potential landslides, there are heightened dangers to life and limb.
On Monday in South Bavaria, heavy rainfall is also forecasted. In Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, water levels are increasing as well.
