Unceasing downpour - Century-level flood endangers eastern Baden-Württemberg
Experts suggest that with ongoing heavy rain, the eastern part of Baden-Württemberg could witness water levels not seen in a century. The High Water Forecast Center (HVZ) at the State Environmental Agency of Baden-Württemberg (LUBW) predicted that these extreme water levels would hit their peak during the night of Friday to Saturday. In some regions like Oberschwaben, waters may rise to levels that occur only once in a hundred years. The Ostalb region is also issued warnings for these highly unusual water levels.
The specific extent of these unusual water levels remains uncertain, said the hydrologist. It would depend on how much it rains. The hydrologist added that even after reaching their peak, the water levels would likely stay high.
HVZ foresees a situation where the water levels of the Donau- and Bodensee tributaries in the Oberschwaben area could reach '20-, 50- or 100-year high waters' between Friday and around Saturday noon. In the eastern areas of the Neckar - like Erms, Fils, Rems, and Kocher - 'large high waters' are likely to occur. Between Saturday and Sunday, 'large high waters' can be estimated in the Neckar gauges Gundelsheim and Heidelberg and a 'two- to ten-year high water' at the Pegel Maxau in Karlsruhe on the High Rhine and the Upper Rhine.
The German Weather Service (DWD) issued their highest warning level on Friday, given the heavy and persistent rain. On Friday afternoon, a DWD meteorologist said, "It's as if a one-month amount of rain is falling in two days." This amount of rainfall is similar to what recently fell in the Saarland. The areas most affected are Oberschwaben and Ostalb. In places like Ravensburg, rainfall is expected to be around 60 to 100 liters per square meter. In southern Oberschwaben and the Ostalb region, more than 150 liters per square meter of rain could fall.
Local authorities are making necessary arrangements. Manheim, for instance, expects the water level to rise from the current 4.60 meters to 7.50 meters by Sunday. The city will shut down access to the Rhine and Neckar rivers. Heidelberg expects the Neckar's water level to rise from its current 4.50-5 meters. The city will create detours and distribute sandbags to residents. In Leipheim, located on the Bavarian-Baden-Württemberg border, a '100-year flood' is anticipated over the next few days. The Donau waterworks were shut off for safety reasons on Friday, and alternate waterworks will supply water, said Mayor Christian Konrad.
HVZ Situation Report - 3:55 p.m.DWD Warning Report for Baden-Württemberg - 2:30 p.m.DWD Warning Map https://www.dwd.de/DE/DWD/distri/bbwetten/karten_badenwuertt808.html?bbwetten_jetzt_closed=trueDWD Situationsbild 'Seefall' (Flooding) Baden-Württemberg: Rote Karte - höchste Alarmstufe https://www.dwd.de/DE/DWD/Leistungen/WarnungenAlarm/warnungen/ream_met_buchstabenverzeichnis/Warnungen_Baden-Wuertt808.html
Read also:
- The flooding in eastern Baden-Württemberg, as predicted by experts, could surpass water levels last seen a century ago, particularly in regions like Oberschwaben and the Ostalb.
- The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued its highest warning level for the region due to continuous rain, with some areas in Oberschwaben and Ostalb expected to receive up to 150 liters of rain per square meter.
- As a result, severe flooding is expected in cities like Heidelberg, where the Neckar's water level might rise to around 5 meters, prompting the city to create detours and distribute sandbags.
- In the Southwest, local authorities have started preparing for the flood, with Manheim and Leipheim foreseeing water levels that have not been seen in over a century.
- The Donau waterworks in Leipheim were shut down for safety reasons, and alternate waterworks will be utilized to supply water during this unprecedented flooding event.
- The High Water Forecast Center (HVZ) at the State Environmental Agency of Baden-Württemberg (LUBW) has warned that the Neckar rivers, including the Gundelsheim and Heidelberg gauges, could experience 'large high waters' between Saturday and Sunday.
- Despite the threats of floods affecting Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and other parts of Upper Swabia, officials in the state of Baden-Württemberg are urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the forecasted storm continues to bring unrelenting rain.
- The impact of this century-level flood on the environment, infrastructure, and communities in this region of Germany is expected to be significant and far-reaching.
