Violent Weather Condition - Flooding intensifies, leaving individuals stranded.
The flood situation is getting worse in particular areas of Baden-Württemberg, specifically near the state capital. In Ebersbach an der Fils, south of Stuttgart, many people are at risk, and the Landrat's office believes a large number of individuals are in danger. A flooded residential area has led to the declaration of an extraordinary emergency situation, as per the announcement made by the Landrat's office in Göppingen on Monday morning.
The B10 road of Ebersbach an der Fils is shut down around the city, and the water reaches knee-height in some places. The water has burst through a noise barrier on the B10, causing flooding on the lanes. Most of the water on the road comes from the Fils River, which runs nearby, but also from nearby slopes. The railway line from Göppingen to Ebersbach has also been closed.
On Sunday night, heavy weather caused flooding in the Rems-Murr-Kreis of Baden-Württemberg. The situation is particularly dire in the town of Rudersberg, as reported by a police spokesperson early on Monday morning. "Rudersberg is under water, everything is flooded." People remain stuck in their homes, with the fire department orchestrating evacuations. The situation remains uncertain. Emergency vehicles can't get through the flooded streets to reach the town.
City residents in Schorndorf, east of Stuttgart, have been advised to steer clear of flooded zones and avoid indulging in high-water tourism. Schorndorf announced on Sunday evening that the heavy rain is causing an upsurge in water levels in the Wieslauftal. Some streets in the Miedelsbach district have been made inaccessible due to the water and strong currents.
The city of Esslingen am Neckar, within the Stuttgart region, has asked residents to stay away from certain areas due to the unstable flood situation. "We urge you to avoid basements and underground garages in the inner city and in Oberesslingen. Furthermore, please refrain from entering spots directly on the Neckar," the city stated late on Sunday evening. The city government is keeping tabs on the water levels. "Please keep yourself informed regularly on this site and in the media."
A dam broke in the community of Gschwend in the Ostalbkreis on Sunday evening, leading to residents being rescued by the fire department in the surrounding houses of Neumühle district. Thankfully, no one was injured.
The Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, and Interior Minister Thomas Strobl are planning to visit two flooded areas in the state on Monday. A trip to Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis is scheduled for the morning, followed by a visit to Erbach in the Alb-Donau-Kreis, as per a spokesperson for the state government's announcement on Sunday evening.
Due to the weather damage, rail traffic in southern Germany will be disrupted significantly on Monday. Deutsche Bahn, the German Railway Company, informed at the crack of dawn: "We urge against traveling to the flooded regions in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and recommend postponing needless trips. Please also note that the trains operating may be incredibly occupied." Accommodation facilities have been set up for travelers in Stuttgart, Nuremberg, and Munich for the night.
Individuals in southern Germany will need to be prepared for even more powerful storms and hefty rainfall on Monday - thunderstorms are also expected. From midday, torrential showers and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall of roughly 15 to 25 liters per square meter in a short time frame or 70 liters in a few hours could potentially materialize from south of the Main to the Danube, as per the German Weather Service (DWD) in the early hours of Monday. In some spots, thunderstorms with rainfall of up to 40 liters per square meter in a short time frame or 70 liters in a few hours are possible.
