Chancellor Scholz visits the location hit by flooding on Monday.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to visit flooded regions on Monday to gain a firsthand understanding of the situation. The news was confirmed by government sources.
In Offingen, a 22-year-old firefighter went missing during a rescue operation. The incident occurred around 2:50 a.m. while the firefighter and three life guards from the DLRG (German Lifesaving Association) and a colleague were on a boat for an evacuation. They capsized in the water, and although four helpers were saved, the 22-year-old remains missing. A massive search involving two helicopters is underway. Earlier in the week, a 42-year-old firefighter had already lost his life during the rescue ops.
Meanwhile, heavy rain continues in southern German flood-stricken areas. Björn Alexander, ntv's meteorologist, states that "extensive and intense rainfall is ongoing." Furthermore, new and local thunderstorms have emerged.
There's a growing concern of dam break at Paar. Communities like Rottmannshart, Westenhausen, Lindach, Ernsgaden, Irsching, and Knodorf in Pfaffenhofen district face potential damages. Authorities urge residents to relocate to higher floors and avoid basements and cellars. If faced with urgent situations, 112 should be contacted.
Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister, announced that a workforce of around 40,000 emergency personnel is on duty in Bavaria, dealing with the aftermath of the floods. "The most crucial step now is to organize the relief process in the coming hours,” he explained. “Fatigued personnel must be replaced, as exhaustion increases the potential for errors and risks to lives.”
Dam guards are stationed at Straubing, according to a message from the city. The river level at Donaupegel might surpass the highest warning level four, posing a threat of dam break. Fire department personnel will monitor the dam while staying alert for any damage or water level changes and report the findings. More sandbags are being filled as well.
A dam burst incident was reported in Baar-Ebenhausen, Pfaffenhofen district, affecting communities such as Reichertshofen, Baar-Ebenhausen, and Manching. Officials urge residents to evacuate the ground floors, and if there's an emergency, they should contact the fire department's emergency number 112.
Solaced by the selfless work of rescue workers, Chancellor Scholz expresses his appreciation and respect for their efforts. He tweets, "A firefighter's death in Pfaffenhofen saddens me," adding, "Thinking about his colleagues and friends." A firefighter passed during a rescue operation in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria.
At the Catholic Day closing mass in Erfurt, Bishops' Conference chairman Georg Baeting addressed a special greeting to flood-affected residents, "We hope for the safety of human lives.”
In Meckenbeuren, Bodenseekreis, districts of Kehlen and Brochenzell are flooded. Schussen has overflowed its banks, causing streets to fill with water. Around 1,300 people were evacuated voluntarily on Saturday to seek refuge in safer locations. Some residents chose to remain in their homes, taking cover in the upper floors. The Schussen's water level, which usually measures 45 centimeters, surpassed 4.86 meters on Saturday.
10:14 Markus Söder, the Bavarian Minister President, pays homage to the firefighter who lost his life during a rescue operation in the flood-affected regions of Bavaria. Söder states in a social media post, "His selfless dedication to others will live on in our memories." He extends his sympathies and thoughts to his fellow firefighters, adding, "We all grieve equally." The 42-year-old volunteer firefighter met his demise when a rescue boat overturned close to the towns of Affalterbach and Uttenhofen, as per police statements.
9:56: To avoid damaging the turf at Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg, the Ukrainian national football team's final training session for the match against Germany has been relocated to Erlangen. The EM test match between Ukraine and Germany will take place on Monday at 8:45 p.m./ARD.
9:42 A staggering 290 incidents have been attended to by the Munich fire department since 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, pertaining to flood-related issues. The firefighters are primarily focused on pumping out full basements and undergrouns garages. Trees have also been uprooted due to the soil becoming saturated, resulting in closed streets. The level 2 flood alert of the Isar has surpassed the threshold as of Saturday evening.
9:18 The Munich area has been impacted by the heavy rain, with the fire department receiving around 290 calls for assistance. The firefighters are engaged in pumping out full cellars and garages, as well as dealing with uprooted trees and closed streets. The alert level for the Isar river floods has risen to 2.
9:00 Due to a dam breaking five kilometers away, the town of Anhausen is temporarily flooded. According to ntv reporter Niklas Diemer on location, residents evacuated from their homes are returning slowly. However, the water levels remain precariously high in other areas.
8:48 The THW has sent reinforcements to the flood-stricken regions in Southern Germany. Over 1800 individuals are currently on duty, according to a spokesperson. The support crew is helping with dam protection, sandbag distribution, and evacuating residents in the flooded zones. Along with the THW, the fire department and other emergency responders are also assisting in these efforts.
8:24 A landslide in Baden-Württemberg has affected a train as well as a car.
8:09 A spokesperson announced that the ICE train impacted by the landslide in Baden-Württemberg would be recovered in the morning. The regional train was able to pass the affected train, but the nature of the disruption is unclear.
7:56 In Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, a local resident has gone missing after flood waters overtook their cellar. A district administration official confirmed this development, disclosing that rescuers were unable to access the house yet.
7:35 A firefighter from Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria, passed away during a flood rescue operation. A spokesman from the Landratsamt revealed the news, stating that his boat capsized along with three colleagues.
7:19 Flood warnings have been issued for several Bavarian southern tributaries, including Günz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Danube. The most severe wave will shift towards the regions of Neuburg, Kelheim, and Regensburg in Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate, where the highest water levels are expected at the beginning of the week. The risk of a century-old flood escalates as the proverbial antics of Mother Nature continue to take shape across Germany's southern regions.
7:03 Conditions are progressively deteriorating in southeastern Germany, where water masses are wreaking havoc. The rescue services and helpers are under strain as they combat the rising water levels.
7:00 ICE trains have been backed up by a landslide in Baden-Württemberg. The regional train could not pass through, and a rescue locomotive will assist in the train's removal in the morning.
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) anticipates intense rainstorms with heavy rainfall in Southern Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg regions, as of Sunday. According to their morning forecast, these thunderstorms are expected to occur from noon to Monday night. The risk of flooded streets and cellars is high, as well as damage from lightning strikes.
The district of Augsburg is taking action by increasing evacuation calls. Residents of Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen must leave their homes immediately, according to the Integrated Control Center. These communities are along the Schmutter River, a tributary of the Danube. Additionally, other parts of the district requested residents to vacate their homes and apartments on Saturday evening.
Authorities in Wiesbaden are preparing for increased water levels on the Rhine and Main. They have constructed a flood protection wall in the Kostheim district, while installing a pump in the Rhine-facing Schierstein district. The fire department advises against parking in parking lots along the riverfront in the coming days.
Currently, there is no long-distance train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich due to a landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd. A railway spokesperson could not provide an estimate for reopening the line in the early morning. The landslide blocks the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, as there was already no train service between Ulm and Augsburg due to the floods in Germany.
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) in Ulm filled 30,000 sandbags during a nighttime operation. These sandbags were delivered to the flood-threatened areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. They are expecting to complete 400 sandbags per hour. Requests for sandbags were received from numerous areas in the southwest and neighboring regions in the neighboring state.
The Bavarian Red Cross is deploying water rescuers from Unterfranken to the emergency response in Swabia. The water rescue unit is expected to operate in the severely affected district of Günzburg. The Red Cross confirms that two boat and diving teams are part of the water rescue team from Unterfranken. To combat the increased water levels in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, they entered into nighttime operations.
An ICE train with 185 passengers derailed in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, due to a landslide. No injuries were reported, and the captives are being evacuated from the train. The first two train wagons left the tracks around 23:20, but did not overturn. The landslide spanned roughly 30 meters. The passengers will be transferred to a nearby kindergarten and then travel to Plüderhausen by bus.
A car struck a landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Württemberg. The driver remained unharmed, according to initial reports. The landslide was adjacent to the affected rural road and the railway track. Schwäbisch Gmünd is approximately 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. Heavy rains have been present in Baden-Württemberg since Friday.
Neu-Ulm surpassed the high water mark on the Danube and Iller, and the damage was difficult to assess. The mayor, Katrin Albsteiger, stated that they would only know the extent of the damage when the situation settles. Two streets, the Danube embankments, and bike paths along the Danube and Iller are expected to remain closed for the near future.
The Munich Fire Department is urging caution near the Isar River due to rising flood levels. Part of the riverbank is now considered dangerous, resulting in the closure of two popular walking paths. The river has reached stage 2 of flooding in the capital city as reported by the Fire Department on the X platform. Stage 2 signifies flooding in uncultivated areas or traffic disruptions due to water overtaking roads.
Past 11pm - Upper Bavaria: 670 Evacuations
In Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria, firefighters and rescuers are poised to remove 670 residents from their homes. Machinery such as bulldozers and boats are being deployed in the Muhlried district and a street along the Weilach River. The Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district office has also set up a hotline for emergencies. Before this incident, the municipality had declared a disaster. The situation is most perilous in the southern part of the district, according to District Administrator Peter von der Grün.
Past 11:03pm - Persistent Thunderstorms Cause Multiple Interventions in Eastern Thuringia
Torrential rain and storms have led to several fire department interventions in the Eastern Thuringia region. The Gera control center is reporting on the events. The town of Ronneburg in the Greiz district is especially hard hit, with streets, fields, and basements inundated. A small stream has also overflowed in the same region.
Past 10:45pm - Relaxation in Rainfall, But More Storms Ahead
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) is reporting a slight letup in the rainfall in South Germany. However, they caution against expecting the same deluge as last night. "We won't have the massive rainfall amounts tonight," says the DWD forecaster. Nonetheless, new showers and storms from the north might cause localized flooding on Sunday afternoon. The forecaster warns that these storms could be quite forceful and last for a long duration. "If they hit the already saturated grounds, flooding will occur once more." The Swabian Alb, areas somewhat north, and the region surrounding Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg are at increased risk.
Past 10:25pm - Comprehensive Disaster Status in Freising
The district of Freising, Upper Bavaria, has also declared a disaster due to overflowing rivers and streams. The municipal administration in the town of Hohenkammer predicts potentially record-breaking water levels along the Amper and Glonn rivers. The authority urges residents to prepare for a significant flood event, such as clearing their basements, in case of a worst-case scenario. A total of ten Bavarian districts have now instated a disaster situation.
Past 9:50pm - Disaster Situation Declared in Dillingen
Following prolonged rainfall, the Dillingen district in Bavaria has declared a disaster as well. The crisis team anticipates a 100-year flood on the Zusam river, a tributary of the Danube, as relayed by the Dillingen district office. Experts suspect widespread flooding in towns like Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. Meanwhile, the Dillingen administration is planning to release water from the swollen Danube into the Riedstrom, a historical floodplain of the river. The district office is asking farmers to secure their livestock in enclosed barns.
Past 9pm - Seventh Municipality in Bavaria Adopts Disaster Situation
The city of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen in Bavaria has just declared a disaster situation, making it the seventh Bavarian municipality affected. The cause is the overflowing of the Danube and its tributaries, according to the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district administration. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt is projecting a stage 4 at the Neuburg gauge. The situation at the Paar, an offshoot of the Danube, and the Weilach, which feeds into the Paar, is predicted to be even more dire by the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district. In Schrobenhausen, the Weilach has already overflowed its banks and flooded a residential area, necessitating evacuations by emergency services. Landrat Peter von der Grün emphasizes the importance of safeguarding roads, bridges, and walkways in order to preserve access for fire departments.
Past 8:34pm - Life-Threatening Situation in Babenhausen: Red Cross Airlifts Two from Roof
The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) has performed a helicopter rescue in Babenhausen. According to the BRK, two individuals were in grave danger after their house, threatened by large water masses, teetered on the brink of collapse. Other residents were taken to safety with inflatable boats. In total, more than 100 people were brought to safety, including more than 30 children.
Past 8:13pm - Evacuations Underway in Several Places Around Augsburg
The cities around Augsburg are being asked to leave their homes due to the potentially hazardous situation. Residents are being told to make preparations for possible flooding in their areas.
Emergency teams aided individuals from their cars that couldn't open doors because of the vast water buildup. The condition could rapidly turn hazardous due to the current and increasing water level in the car, said a representative.
In several municipalities of the Augsburg district, people were asked to depart their homes and flats due to the immediate flooding. The scenario would likely worsen in the evening in the northern part of the district, according to an Augsburg district administration representative. The villages of Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf are all experiencing the effects. Augsburg's fairgrounds have an emergency shelter established by the government of Swabia.
19:48 German military assists in flood-affected areas in Bavaria
The army is intervening in Bavaria to counter the floods. "The Bundeswehr is supporting Günzburg and the Aichach-Friedberg districts, after both districts made official requests," says a Bavarian Bundeswehr command representative to Antenne Bayern. "In Günzburg, blankets and field beds are being provided. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, around 50 male and female Bundeswehr troops are expected in the next few hours. Additionally, two Bundeswehr vehicles are being used there."
19:20 Faeser pledges further aid
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser vows continued aid to regions in Germany ravaged by floods. "Following the persistent rainfall and impending flooding, the THW is prepared to send more staff," says the SPD politician in Berlin, referring to the Technical Relief Organization, "We'll offer additional support to the affected states with all available resources." As of Saturday evening, 520 THW helpers are operational. They've saved lives, secured dikes, and extracted water, declared Faeser. The politician also expressed thanks to those engaged in the ongoing battle against the deluge, "I'd like to thank everyone intensely who's now fighting the water masses and working tirelessly to preserve lives." Faeser advised citizens in flood-threatened regions in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to heed warnings and instructions from authorities. "Please take these warnings very seriously!"
18:58 29 climbers rescued from Zugspitze amid snowstorm
Climbers in distress at the Zugspitze, as detailed in the 15:15 p.m. Live Ticker record, have been rescued. A total of 29 individuals were led to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at Zugspitzplatt by the mountain rescue service, states the mountain rescue service. Multiple groups had sent out distress calls, and they couldn't proceed any further due to the weather conditions and new snow at around 2500 meters above sea level, approximately 900 meters before reaching the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue service deployed to their rescue. Zugspitzbahn's staff was also on their way with snow groomers to search for the climbers, shared a spokesperson for the Zugspitzbahn.
18:42 Storm warning for parts of Brandenburg
The German Weather Service (DWD) cautions Brandenburg locals of the potential perils of severe thunderstorms. For the regions of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree, the second-highest risk level is in effect until the evening. Possible hazards include lightning strikes, uprooted trees, power lines, falling objects, rapid flooding, landslides, and hail.
18:11 Storm-flooded Autobahn - A3 sections closed
The A3 autobahn in Bavaria near Regensburg had sections closed for around ten kilometers between the exits of Parsberg and Beratzhausen. The roadway was flooded, reports the Upper Palatinate police presidium. "The water is pushing from the fields onto the highway," stated a representative. The traffic police in Regensburg, the Autobahnmeisterei, and the fire department were on the site. "Road traffic will be diverted," reported a spokesman.
17:51 Memmingen jail evacuated
The Memmingen prison in Bavaria was evacuated due to alleged flooding danger. The report from the news agency Nonstopnews indicates the evacuation of up to 150 prisoners, who will be temporarily rehoused in Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. Adjacent to the prison runs the Memminger Ach - a small river that has ballooned into a raging torrent, threatening to immerse the prison. Portions of the courtyard are already submerged, possibly resulting in a power cut, thus prompting the evacuation. The police arrived, deploying numerous emergency vehicles to carry out the evacuation. In the end, they had to navigate flooded streets to facilitate the evacuation, as the access road was already inundated. The fire department was additionally active, extracting water from the prison.
17:35 Rain heightens water levels to level 4
The heavy rain is causing the water levels to rise to level 4 at several gauges in Swabia. In Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, rivers are expanding. The High Water Information Service (HND) reports that the gauges in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Nattenhausen (Günz) have already reached level 4. It is expected that the gauges in Dasing (Paar) and Regen in Cham in the Upper Palatinate will also reach this level. Hundred-year floods are reported in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar).
The Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is expected to peak at level 3 in Meldestufe 3 over the weekend, but water levels are already receding in the lower Iller. In the northern Donauanflueße Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber and Naab, there are individual gauges with level 1 and 2 exceedances with an increasing tendency in the upper reaches. From Neu-Ulm to Kelheim, the water levels are predicted to rise to Meldestufe 3 throughout the day, with the Pegel Kelheim following after. In the further Donautalg to Passau, increases to Meldestufen 1 and 2 are expected.
Despite the heavy rainfall in many regions of Bavaria, flight operations at Munich Airport are functioning normally. No flights have been canceled. Wilhelm, a spokesperson for the airport, explains that they can observe water standing in the fields next to the runways. The airport was also built slightly higher, and it has runways that are lowered towards the sides so that water can drain off. Additionally, the runways are "grooved," meaning they are adorned with grooves that accelerate water runoff. This negates the risk of aquaplaning. The airport anticipates no significant problems for the remainder of the weekend.
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder is reviewing the situation in the most affected areas. He thanked the rescuers and officials during his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district. Söder asserts that Bavaria has endured this period of crisis. He described the situation as an "extreme burden" on the citizens. Söder added, "This is not over yet. Things are really getting started." The focus of the storm is in Swabia, resulting in resources — such as sandbags — being concentrated there. "Without the helpers and helpers, we would have no hope," Söder remarked, addressing the relief services such as the fire department, the Red Cross, the police, and the Technical Relief Organization. They all displayed exemplary commitment. He appealed for citizens to "Please adhere to the rules." Residents must obey evacuation orders, not attempt to return to their basements or drive their cars out of their garages.
There are rail disruptions and cancellations in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria as a result of the storms. Deutsche Bahn declared two ICE lines are affected. No trains will run between Munich, Bregenz and Zurich since Saturday. The line between Ulm and Augsburg is also disrupted. The Bahn is releasing details on track closures, cancellations, and delays on its website.
The disaster situation now encompasses the Bavarian district of Unterallgäu. In the city of Babenhausen, a section of the cellular network has failed. Those who need assistance and are unable to call should hang a white sheet or flag out of their windows. Residents in Babenhausen are already being evacuated with inflatable boats from their homes.
Close to 400 forces of the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are actively engaged in the disastrous circumstances in South Germany. The THW in Bonn disclosed this. They're pumping water, safeguarding dams, and evacuating people in advance. "Due to the persistent and frequently heavy rain, the THW is prepared to deploy additional THW forces," it states. Mobile flood gauges will be installed and monitored in afflicted areas. The THW continues, "Given further weather prediction and possible flooding within the upcoming hours, the THW is prepared to deploy more THW forces." Teams are ready to be deployed nationwide. Each task force contains approximately 40 THW forces and they operate three sewage pumps, a power generator, an exploration vehicle, and a command post. Each task force can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.
15:37: All flood alerts on one map
This map displays all existing flood alerts. The image is updated frequently.
15:15 Report: 26-person mountain climbing group stranded below Zugspitze
A group of 26 mountain climbers is said to be stranded several hundred meters beneath the Zugspitze's summit. As per BR, 60 centimeters of fresh snow have fallen on the Zugspitze in the last several hours, while there's nonstop rain in the valley. The temperature is below freezing, and vision is only around 100 meters. A number of rescue groups have been deployed to search for the climbers during the blizzard as reported by the BR, citing the Bergwacht Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The climbers are worn out and most likely not adequately equipped. It's unclear why they attempted to climb the Zugspitze despite the dangerous weather forecast.
14:52: Disaster scenario announced by Donau-Ries district
The Donau-Ries district in Bavaria has declared a disaster scenario. The purpose of this action is "to gather all resources and be better prepared more quickly and efficiently for the approaching water levels." Explains District Administrator Stefan Rössle in a statement. "It's important to remain calm and minimize being in areas at high risk right now," Rössle adds.
14:20: Dam collapse near Augsburg - Evacuation imminent
A dam and a dike have failed in Augsburg's Swabian area. The Landratsamt reported this. Diedorf residents in particular streets must leave their homes. Evacuation preparations are underway in Augsburg's Anhausen district. "It is no longer feasible to move to higher floors," the Landratsamt Augsburg reports. A dike at the Anhauser Weiher dam has fractured, and a dike at the Diedorf reservoir has crumbled. All residents of the affected areas are urged to leave their homes immediately within the next hour and go to Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Authorities are also recommending staying clear of train underpasses, as floodwaters may pass through them. There's a risk of death.
Söder and Herrmann fly to flooded area
Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann are traveling to the community inundated area in Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU politicians intend to witness conditions in Diedorf firsthand. The Interior Ministry has announced their visit. District Administrator Martin Sailer will also join. The visit's site was changed unexpectedly due to the emergency. Earlier, the politicians had planned to visit the flooded Fischach region. In Diedorf, people are now being cautioned to leave their houses as part of preparation for evacuations. The flood situation is extraordinarily critical in the Swabian area. In addition to the Günzburg district, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have also announced a disaster scenario.
The flood situation in Meckenbeuren stay tense. The level of the Schussen river in Meckenbeuren remains high on the Bodenseekreis. By the afternoon, the level had reached 4.72 meters, as per a municipal spokesperson. It is hoped that the peak will occur soon. During the previous flood in 2021, the river stood at 4.50 meters. Ordinarily, the river carries 45 cm of water. On Friday night, the municipality advised almost 1300 people to vacate their homes preventively. The majority have lodged with friends or relatives. Just a small handful of individuals used the emergency shelter. To avoid potential flooding damage, schools, kindergartens, and halls were emptied in advance. In this municipality of 14,000 residents, bridges were also closed for safety reasons.
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Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to visit the flooded regions on Monday, joining the Live ticker updates on the International situation. He expresses his respect and sympathy for the firefighters who have been working tirelessly in the flood zone, with one firefighter already losing his life during rescue operations in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm. Another 22-year-old firefighter from Offingen remains missing after a rescue operation gone wrong early Monday.
