A storm is in progress. - Floods continue to pose a major threat in southern Germany.
In certain parts of Bavaria, the critical flood situation persists, primarily in spots along the Danube. Gauges positioned on the river are expected to reach their apex on Tuesday, signifying the peak water levels of the flood. On the other hand, the situation in Baden-Württemberg has improved considerably. The consequences of the destructive flood are beginning to manifest themselves.
In the Unterallgäu, police reports revealed a woman died in her car, which slid off the road into the water on Monday in Markt Rettenbach. This incident brings the total known casualties from the flood in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg to five.
The Danube's water levels are anticipated to reach peak values on Tuesday, but they will be below previous records, according to the flood information service's morning update. An impending warning level 4 will impact the stretch between Kelheim and Passau until Wednesday. Communities and areas have been readying for the flood for several days already.
More substantial rainfall isn't expected to occur on Tuesday, nor is additional water expected in most regions. The German Weather Service (DWD) foresees no further rainfall of significant intensity across Germany. However, a minor risk exists for the Alps, with potential thunderstorms bringing heavy rain of up to 15 liters per square meter in a brief time frame from the afternoon until evening.
Floodwaters have begun to recede in some locales. Danube tributaries experienced a decrease in floodwater levels this morning. However, the Isar and Inn Rivers have experienced temporary increases in gauge levels due to the heavy rainfall on Monday. Thousands of volunteers remain active. Several schools in Bavaria have canceled classes for Tuesday.
Rosenheim's situation remains tense. Authorities issue an advisory urging residents to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid outdoor areas, particularly those near open bodies of water. "There is an immediate danger to life and limb," said a statement issued by the authority on Monday evening: "People should not hinder rescue teams in their efforts."
Debris-strewn streets, swept-away vehicles
Flood levels are diminishing in many areas of Baden-Württemberg. As per the flood forecasting center, water levels at most of its gauges are falling. Yet, at the Baden-Württemberg Danube downstream from Berg, Lake Constance, and the Upper Rhine downstream from Kehl, the levels are still on the rise.
In the Rems-Murr-Kreis specifically, clean-up operations continued in the town of Rudersberg. The heavy rains caused mud to cover streets and swept cars away.
Minister Thomas Strobl, a CDU politician, deemed the situation after the floods in Baden-Württemberg well-controlled. He stated, "We are well organized and capable of assisting in civil protection in Baden-Württemberg." On Monday evening, in Ebersbach an der Fils, a part of Göppingen, floodwaters flooded streets in the community. Numerous buildings were evacuated.
Additional train cancellations and disruptions
Your travel plans should adjust for further flight cancellations and train cancelations. Trains, for instance, are unable to reach Munich from Stuttgart due to Deutsche Bahn's announcement. "We advise against traveling to southern Germany's flood-affected areas and recommend postponing unnecessary trips," the railway company advised.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) affirmed ongoing support for people impacted by the floods in southern Germany. "In the flood-impacted regions, all that matters is saving lives right now. Reconstruction efforts will follow," Habeck told the Augsburger Allgemeine.
The rising frequency of flooding across more areas can be traced to global warming. "We can't turn back the clock, but I trust these tragic events of the past few days will inspire debates on our approach to climate protection," Habeck added.
Investments into flood protection are being demanded. The German Association of Cities and Towns stresses the need for the federal government and states to invest more in flood prevention. "As flooding occurs more frequently, Germany must improve its preparedness," said Helmut Dedy, the managing director of the City Association, to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). Emergency services demand reliable equipment and infrastructure. "The federal government and states must significantly raise the funds designated for flood and disaster protection," he said, urging long-term, not just spontaneous contributions. Costs for municipalities' flood measures, including dam construction, drainage, and irrigation, are expected to surge due to the effects of global warming.
The THW's president, Sabine Lackner, shared her thoughts on much-needed investments with the Augsburger Allgemeine, stating, "We currently fall short of approximately 400 million euros for this year, compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic, which comes out to about four euros per federal citizen yearly. This is not a substantial amount. Despite Interior Minister Nancy Faeser's insistence on increased spending, politics is ultimately responsible."
The leader of the German County Association, Reinhard Sager, remarked, "The recent flood, in addition to the one around New Year's that mostly affected Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, demonstrates that Germany's disaster management overall is well-prepared. Particularly noteworthy is the rapid mobilization of volunteers."
Simultaneously, he urged for more financial assistance. "The current occurrences in the south also emphasize that Germany needs to be better prepared for extreme weather occurrences. Most importantly, we require increased funding."
In a statement on Monday, the German Federal Minster for the Environment, Steffi Lemke (Greens), introduced a new law for enhanced flood protection in the country. "It's becoming more apparent that we must take greater measures to shield ourselves from the effects of the climate crisis," the minister declared. "To do this, we also need a new law on flood protection."
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- Despite the ongoing storm in Berlin, the city remains dry and unaffected by the flood situation in southern Germany.
- Helmut Dedy, from the German Association of Cities and Towns, expressed concern about the increasing frequency of floods, especially in lower Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
- The woman's car accident in the Lower Allgäu region of Bavaria was not related to the storm, but rather to the heavy rainfall that led to flooding.
- In Kelheim, residents have been actively participating in flood protection measures, moving belongings to higher ground in anticipation of the flood peak.
- The flooding in southern Germany has led to school absences, as classes are being cancelled in areas near the Danube.
- The Fire Department in Passau has been working tirelessly to assist in emergency situations, dealing with both the storm and flood-related incidents.
- Robert Habeck, the German Economics Minister, emphasized the need for ongoing support for those affected by the floods, acknowledging the importance of saving lives before focusing on reconstruction.
- THW, a German volunteer-based disaster relief organization, is playing a significant role in the clean-up efforts, utilizing their equipment and expertise to help communities affected by the storm and flood.
- The weather forecast indicates a mild storm in Stuttgart on Tuesday, which is expected to bring some rain, but not enough to significantly exacerbate the flood situation.
- Steffi Lemke, the German Federal Minister for the Environment, has proposed a new law to enhance flood protection, acknowledging the need for more comprehensive measures in the face of the climate crisis.
- Floodwaters have reached Lake Constance, bringing additional concerns for the surrounding communities in Baden-Württemberg.
- Unlike the situation in Baden-Württemberg, the city of Berlin, situated further north, has yet to experience any significant impact from the storm or the floods.
- The Höchstwasserschutzverein (Association of Cities) has advocated for increased investment in flood protection, urging long-term commitments to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.
- Following the storm and floods, Helmut Dedy has called for a more proactive approach to climate protection, suggesting that discussions surrounding the events may lead to more stringent measures.
- The flood protection infrastructure in Berlin, being located in a different geographical region, is currently not impacted by the flood situations in southern Germany.
- In response to the increasing number of disaster cases, Germany's civil protection associations have been actively recruiting new helpers, training them to assist local communities in emergencies.
