High water levels - Flood situation on the Elbe remains tense
The flood situation in Saxony remains tense, especially on the Elbe. However, water levels on other rivers such as the Mulde and the Weiße Elster fell on Wednesday. After the continuous rain over the Christmas holidays, the German Weather Service predicted hardly any precipitation until Friday.
On the Elbe, the second-highest alert level 3 was in force at the Schöna gauge on the border with the Czech Republic, while the relevant level of 6.00 meters was not yet reached in Dresden. According to the state flood center, 5.87 meters were measured at midday. The six-meter mark was predicted to be exceeded on Thursday morning. The city of Dresden had already declared alert level 3 on Tuesday evening. The situation was "tense", but not on the scale of past floods, said Environment Mayor Eva Jähnigen (Greens) at a site visit.
Road closures in Dresden
The Dresden fire department set up an operations control center at the fire department to coordinate the flood prevention measures with the city administration. The current flooding is nothing unusual for the city of Dresden, fire department spokesman Michael Klahre told the German Press Agency. "We are experienced here.".
Currently, the areas at risk of flooding are being inspected twice a day as part of the control service and it is being checked whether the dykes are in order or whether there is a risk of breaches. According to Klahre, there is a flood defense plan that is being worked through. "So far there has been nothing unexpected." And the water level is rising more slowly than expected, "so we are well ahead of the situation here".
The city closed several streets on Wednesday to set up flood protection gates on Weißeritzstraße and the Ostra bank. The Ostra sports park was also completely closed until further notice. All Elbe ferries stopped operating for the time being. However, Dresden's public transport company still considers the winter floods to be "normal working routine".
According to the town hall, the flood gates have been prepared and will be closed once the six-meter limit has been exceeded. But the Dresden Christmas Circus will have to dismantle its tents in an area near the banks of the Elbe, said Jähnigen. One problem is the flood tourists who stand in the way and block access roads, even with cars, putting themselves in danger. "These are operations that we could do without," said fire department spokesperson Klahre.
Kretschmer visits state flood center
Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer believes that the state is well equipped for the current situation. After the floods of the century in 2002 and 2013, a great deal had been invested in flood protection, said the CDU politician on Wednesday during a visit to the state flood center. The emergency services were working highly professionally. "That's why the population is well protected," said Kretschmer. "Nevertheless, it has to be said: a flood is a natural event, nobody has it one hundred percent under control. But we are doing what is humanly possible here in Dresden and in Saxony."
Easing in the other river basins
On the Mulde and the White Elster, where there had been major flooding over the Christmas period, the water levels receded everywhere. On the Mulde, only Bad Düben was still at alert level 2 on Wednesday, while the Parthe in Leipzig was still at level 2 in the Weiße Elster river basin. This means that there may be flooding of green areas and fields as well as slight traffic obstructions.
ADAC: Do not drive through deep puddles
The automobile club ADAC called on drivers to avoid flooded areas. Meadows or fields should also not be driven through because they are very soggy. Deep puddles and flooded underpasses should also not be driven through. If a car is flooded with water, you should not try to drive it away yourself or start the engine. Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may work again - but only if the engine is not started after the accident.
Message from the City of Dresden Weather Forecast DWD
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- The Elbe, a major river in Germany, has been experiencing high water levels, contributing to a tense flood situation in the neighboring state of Saxony.
- Michael Kretschmer, the Minister President of Saxony, visited the state flood center and praised the professionalism of the emergency services in handling the flood situation.
- The city of Dresden, located in Saxony, has set up flood protection measures, closing several streets and installing gates on Weißeritzstraße and the Ostra bank.
- The Weather Service in Germany (DWD) predicted minimal precipitation until Friday, offering some respite from the continuous rain over the Christmas holidays.
- The DWD has reported decreasing water levels on other rivers such as the Mulde and the Weiße Elster, which experienced significant flooding over the holiday period.
- The fire department in Dresden has been coordinating flood prevention measures with the city administration, utilizing their experience in dealing with such situations.
- The Czech Republic, located near the border with Saxony, is also monitoring the flood situation on the Elbe, as the water level remains above usual levels, causing concern for both countries.
Source: www.stern.de
