Grimma's well system could also aid in flood prevention with its large concrete wall.
As Grimma's historical city center nears completion, the town in Saxony went through a major flood in 2002. To make sure it doesn't experience another flood, various safety measures are in place. These include building a sturdy concrete wall that delves deep into the ground.
16:17 Flood conditions improving along the RhineIn Rhineland-Palatinate, the flood situation along the Rhine is slowly improving, according to the environmental agency's flood forecasting center. The water level is rising at the Middle Rhine and some Upper Rhine markers, but it's anticipated to reach peak levels in the evening and on Wednesday. On the Upper Rhine, the water level is predicted to drop by Sunday, while on the Middle Rhine, it's expected to reach its peak during the weekend. The water level at the Maxau marker is predicted to increase until Wednesday morning, but it's decreasing in Mannheim. The levels at the Worms and Kaub markers have already hit their peak, while the peak at the Koblenz marker is expected Wednesday night. The city of Koblenz will keep its flood defenses in place. The Mosel marker has slightly decreased, but the flood forecasting center predicts a peak at the Koblenz marker on Wednesday morning. A potential peak of 570 to 590 centimeters would be slightly below a two-year flood.
15:52 Danube level in Passau falls below ten meters againThe Donau marker in Passau reached the ten-meter mark as reported by the flood warning service (HND) at noon, but it has since dropped to 9.93 meters at 3 PM. The city had declared a disaster situation due to the deteriorating flood situation, as well as Regensburg and several other regions. This allows for more efficient coordination of rescue operations.
15:26 Heavy rain brings flood warning for southern PolandDue to intense rains in Poland, parts of the city of Bielsko-Biala in Silesia are underwater. The mayor has issued a flood warning, as reported by PAP news agency. The fire department has responded to more than 700 incidents. Cellars and plots are flooded, tracks of the local railway station are blocked by water, trains are re-routed, and some lines are completely shut down. The city archive and the bus depot of the municipal transport company have also been flooded. "Onet.pl" posts videos of streets, roundabouts, and a bridge underwater. The crisis center of the regional administration has declared an alarm state at five locations. The state meteorologists from the weather service anticipate more heavy rains for the rest of the day.
14:59 Conflicting figures of missing persons: Ministry reports multiple missing due to floods in BavariaA number of individuals have gone missing in the flood-stricken areas of Bavaria, says a Munich-based spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, adding there were initially seven missing, later five, and then six. Bavaria's Minister President, Markus Söder (CSU), had mentioned during a cabinet meeting in the morning that the total number of missing people in the state was around seven. The situation is "extremely fluid," notes the Interior Ministry spokesperson. Multiple people might have reported themselves to officials at the scene, but their reports haven't yet reached the situation center in Munich. "The exact numbers are not particularly reliable," the spokesperson highlights. One of the missing individuals is also a firefighter from Swabia who had capsized with other rescuers in a boat in Offingen. The rest managed to escape.
14:45 Söder: Bavaria's flood situation remains "serious and critical"Minister President Markus Söder (CSU) of Bavaria states that the flood situation in Bavaria remains "serious and critical." The highest water levels of the Danube are still expected in Regensburg and Passau. Söder presses on, "We continue our efforts." Over the past few days, more than 60,000 people were involved in flood relief work in Bavaria. More than 6,600 evacuations have been necessary so far. The cabinet observed a minute of silence for the three known victims of the floods this morning. Söder also refers to "up to seven missing persons," adding that the number could potentially rise further. The state government is in touch with the affected people. "Their pain is also our pain," he says, adding that the next two days are crucial regarding the flood situation.
The government of Baden-Württemberg is confident in its preparedness for the ongoing floods in certain regions as a result of heavy rainfall. "We've been prepping for quite some time and we've been in action for a while now," shares Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President in Stuttgart, to journalists. "We're not responding to this event at all, as we've been responding for a while now," he adds. The swift reaction of the emergency services has averted any significant catastrophes, like the collapse of a power plant. Kretschmann reiterates his request for a general natural disaster liability insurance. "It's unavoidable," he declares. On the other hand, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann persists in his refusal to implement it. Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister Thekla Walker calls for routine checks of existing protective measures. "We need to stay on top of it," she says. It's unfortunate that two deaths occurred in Baden-Württemberg due to the floods. Concurrently, the German Insurance Association disapproves of a compulsory insurance for flood damage. [see timestamp 13:00].
13:57: Danube Water Level at 10 Meters: Passau Declares Disaster State
The city of Passau in Lower Bavaria has declared a state of disaster in preparation for the worsening flood situation. The Flood Information Service (HND) estimates that the water level of the Danube is currently 10 meters. However, the crest of the Inn is expected to reach Passau, a city representative affirmed. As a result of the heavy rainfall on Monday, Passau anticipates a water level of over seven meters in the Inn. Numerous streets and squares in Passau are already blocked due to flooding; schools have suspended classes. Bus transportation is interrupted, and the old town connections are fully disrupted. The old and inner city is especially vulnerable. The city advises people to steer clear of flooded areas. The entire flood-affected area should be avoided. The flood conditions in Bavaria are worsening, particularly along the Danube.
13:13: With Bathing Suit: Woman Swims Flood in Deggendorf
A woman took a dip in the floodwater in Lower Bavaria's Deggendorf - in a flooded underpass. The fire department noticed the woman in a bathing suit while conducting a check on Monday evening and retrieved her from the water, a city spokesperson revealed today. City fire inspector Tim Rothenwöhrer mentioned that people are flouting barriers and taking selfies, which has now become a regular occurrence. This particular instance, in which someone swam in the flood, has not been encountered before. The city implores residents to abide by the swimming ban in flooded areas and appeals for "resilience." The swimming season in Deggendorf will begin on Thursday.
13:00: GDV: Floods in Southern Germany Will Be a Significant Loss for Insurers
The floods in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg will be a considerable blow to German insurers. "The images from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg demonstrate a multitude of damages," says Jörg Asmussen, the managing director of the German Insurance Association (GDV). "Our firms are already receiving many damage reports." However, it's still too premature for a damage evaluation. "We can only predict the outcome when the water levels decrease everywhere." The flood in Saarland on Whit Sunday cost insurers about €200 million. The exact cost to the companies of the floods in Southern Bavaria and Lake Constance, however, depends on how many buildings are protected against such natural calamities. In Bavaria, it's 47%, while in Baden-Württemberg, it's 94%. Until 1994, there was a compulsory insurance against floods. Asmussen is opposed to renewed calls for compulsory insurance against floods. "That wasn't a market solution. And the premiums didn't reflect the true risk," he explains. "Insurance alone is not the solution." Flood protection is, however, moving forward. This requires building bans in threatened areas and better dams. "Only then can we put an end to the cycle of increasing damages and rising premiums," says the GDV managing director.
After the recent floods in many parts of the country, the government of Bavaria has decided to provide at least 100 million euros in financial assistance to those affected. This decision was made in a cabinet meeting held in Munich. The aid package is intended to help both individuals and businesses, including self-employed people and farmers. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder said, "Bavaria will help quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy." He also urged the federal government to fulfill its obligations and provide flood relief.
Households could receive up to 5,000 euros in emergency aid, and up to 10,000 euros for damaged residential buildings, with insurance payouts considered. In case of an immediate existential threat, up to 100% reimbursement will be provided. Companies and businesses can claim between 5,000 and 200,000 euros in emergency aid, but the amount will be reduced if the damages are insured.
The water level of the Danube in Passau is approaching the ten-meter mark. At noon, the flood warning service (HND) reported a water level of 9.95 meters. The expected water level of 9.50 meters for the afternoon has already been exceeded. When the water level reaches 8.50 meters, built-up areas are likely to be flooded to a larger extent. This level was already reached in Passau in the afternoon.
Currently, the weather service has issued a preliminary warning for rain in southern Germany. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), there is likely to be no further heavy flooding in the coming days. Although there may be occasional showers and thunderstorms, they will not be sufficient to cause additional flooding. This applies across the country until Thursday. The temperatures in the north and northwest will remain below 20 degrees, which is normal for the season. Elsewhere, temperatures of 21 to 26 degrees can be expected. It will be cooler than 10 degrees at night. From Saturday onwards, the rainfall rate is expected to increase again, particularly in the south, where rain and even thunderstorms are forecast, but not in the magnitude of past days.
In Bavaria, the flood situation is still tense due to high water levels, but there are no more forecasts for heavy rainfall that would further increase the water levels. The water levels of the Danube's tributaries are also decreasing, and the flood is currently concentrated on the Danube. The situation is improving in Ingolstadt, where the peak of the flood is expected to reach the highest warning level, just below the area of the August 2005 flood. The situation in Kelheim is expected to be minor within warning level four, which is the same as the flood in August 2005. Passau is anticipated to have lower water levels compared to the flood of 2002. Until Wednesday, there will still be high water levels in the stretch from Kelheim to Passau.
There have been five known fatalities in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg due to the flooding. A woman in Markt Rettenbach, Bavaria, lost control of her vehicle and slid off the road into the flooded area, ignoring a barrier. Her car was found submerged in water. Despite attempts by the emergency services, she died later. The police described this as a "tragic accident."
The blocked portion of the Autobahn 9 in Upper Bavaria, caused by a dam break, has been cleared. Normal traffic is now permitted on the section between Ingolstadt-South and Langenbruck. However, other roads in the region, such as the B16 between Manching and Ernsgaden, remain closed due to flooding.
Heavy rainfall has caused sections of the Rhine, Germany's most significant waterway, to become inaccessible. The spokesperson for the Waterways and Shipping Office Rhine (WSA) informed Reuters that the shipping on the Middle and Upper Rhine has halted. Initially, the Upper Rhine was affected in places such as Maxau, Mannheim, and Worms, but now parts of the Middle Rhine, including Mainz and Bingen, are also experiencing issues. Many vessels have already docked or are in ports, while they await a drop in the water levels. Peak levels could still be reached later in the day or evening. The area surrounding Bingen might become navigable again by Thursday. The objective is to prevent harm to the banks caused by the vessels generating waves that may surpass the banks and flood cellars.
At 10:20 AM, additional disruptions resulted from flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, impacting several lines in regional and long-distance traffic. Deutsche Bahn has reported that four lines are undergoing disruption: the Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich line between Stuttgart-Ulm-Augsburg-Munich, the Nuremberg-Donauwörth-Augsburg-Munich line between Donauwörth and Augsburg, the Munich-Memmingen-Lindau line between Buchloe and Memmingen, and the entire Ulm-Memmingen-Kempten line. Munich cannot be reached from the west and north due to these interruptions. However, the Bahn advises against traveling to South Germany due to these issues. On other lines, individual failures and delays occur: Munich-Nuremberg-Erfurt-Berlin, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Ulm, Augsburg-Munich, Stuttgart-Mannheim-Frankfurt(M), Munich-Lindau-Bregenz-Zurich, Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Crailsheim-Nuremberg, Augsburg-Kempten(Allgäu)-Oberstdorf, and Nuremberg-Würzburg.
The search for a missing firefighter in Swabia continues as of 10:06 AM, but the police no longer search in the floods. The current flood conditions are considered too dangerous for emergency personnel to navigate the water. The search will instead take place from land and in the air, utilizing drones and a helicopter. The firefighter is presumed dead.
09:38 AM: Police amends previous statement: Search for missing firefighter continues
The search for a missing firefighter in the Swabian flooded region is ongoing, after the police corrected a previous statement about terminating the search (see 06:22 AM). It's likely the 22-year-old male drowned. The young man had been with a DLRG rescue boat in Offingen near the Baden-Württemberg border during Saturday to Sunday night. The boat, filled with five rescue personnel, capsized in strong currents. Four of the rescuers, aged between 24 and 70, were safe on land, uninjured.
08:45 AM: "Avoid looking, just see what's happening": Regensburg mayor cautions against high-water tourism
Regensburg, a city currently experiencing flooding on the Danube, requires citizens to refrain from high water tourism. Regensburg's mayor, Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer, stated on Bavarian Radio, "We already have a lot of tourists, but now the locals are also on the move. Please don't go and look, see what's happening." She urges visitors not to go on jetties as helpers might be present. The night was tense in the Swabian city, according to the mayor. The high groundwater and unstable foundation threaten the evacuations. The high watermark reached at night, and she hopes levels will decline during the day. The stability of the dams and protective structures is difficult to predict, says the mayor. "We're in a different situation than, for example, 2013, since we have high groundwater levels and the subsoil becomes so unstable. And the pressure on the dams with a fluctuating subsoil is already critical."
08:25 AM: Expected during the afternoon: Passau is concerned - "Donau-Pegel already at 9.54 m"
Passau, currently concerned with high water levels, is trepidatious about the afternoon. The mayor of the city commented, "Don't look, just see what's happening. We already have a lot of tourists, but now the locals are also on the move." By utilizing drones and helicopters, emergency services want to continue searching for a missing firefighter in Offingen, fearing he drowned. The police chief issued a warning against tourists heading to the jetties, as rescue personnel may be present. The mayor reported that the high groundwater and unstable foundation jeopardize evacuations. She noted that the city has encountered an unprecedented situation compared to 2013, with the high groundwater levels and unstable subsoil indicating a critical status for dams and protective structures.
In the German city of Passau, the flooding situation is worsening rapidly. Officials had forecasted a flood peak with a gauge of 9.50 meters in the afternoon; however, the water level surpassed this limit quite early. Ntv journalist Felix Balß reports this development.
7:48 Bavarian Fire Brigade: Unprecedentedly extensive deployment
The firefighters in Bavaria are being called upon more than ever before, predicts the Bavarian Fire Brigade Association. "This is unique in terms of both size and scope," declares association head Johann Eitzenberger to the Süddeutsche Zeitung. There are currently 30,000 volunteer firefighters on duty, and they're working to prevent and minimize damage wherever they can. The situation now is relatively manageable, but we can never know what may happen next. Additional skills will be needed for the long term, especially in dealing with oil from heating tanks.
7:28 Video: Danube River threatening dykes and protective walls
With massive amounts of water, the Danube is putting tremendous pressure on dykes and additional protective barriers in southern Germany. Some of these dykes are currently at risk of breaking due to the immense pressure. Passau's historic center is already submerged and locked down.
6:55 Castle Falkenstein collapses - residents safely evacuated
The Falkenstein Castle in Upper Bavaria is sagging due to persistent rainfall. The local authorities in the Rosenheim district report that they have evacuated 50 residents living below the castle. The Falkenstein Castle Complex in Flintsbach is a popular tourist attraction near the Austrian border. The main castle Falkenstein dates back to the 13th century, while the outer castle was constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries. After major renovations in the 16th and 17th centuries, the complex was abandoned due to fires and turned into a ruin. It is part of the Petersberg Monument Complex that includes the Peterskirche Roman church and the adjacent Mesner House. The extent of the damage to the ruin is unknown.
6:22 Missing firefighter's search suspended
Authorities have ceased actively looking for the missing firefighter who was swept away during Swabia's flood. It is believed that he drowned and could be found once the waters recede. The firefighter was on a boat of the DLRG lifeguard in Offingen, near the border with Baden-Württemberg, when the boat capsized in strong currents. Four rescue workers ages 24 to 70 were able to safely reach land.
Noteworthy Update: The police later announced that they would continue searching for the missing firefighter (see 9:38 a.m. entry).
6:03 "Century rainfall" measures reported in South Germany
At various locations in South Germany, rainfall has reached levels not seen in a hundred years, reports meteorologist Thomas Deutschländer of the German Weather Service. "That's quite unique, but not entirely unprecedented," he adds. But some measurement stations might have failed, or their readings could be too low, warns Deutschländer. Additional data needs to be checked for accuracy.
5:33 Danube in Passau exceeds nine-meter mark
The water level of the Danube in Passau surged beyond 9.0 meters overnight. The Hochwassernachrichtendienst (HND) recorded a 9.27-meter water level at 3 a.m. On Monday night, the gauge indicated an 8.83-meter water level. According to HND predictions, peak levels of 9.50 meters would be reached by noon on Tuesday. Passau's historic center was closed to traffic on Monday because of the flood. When water levels reach 8.50 meters, nearby beaches start to flood more extensively. This level was attained in Passau in the early afternoon on Monday.
4:07 200 residents of Regensburg must be evacuated
Due to a deteriorating flood situation in the Regensburg city center, 200 people have been told to leave their homes. "The subsoil of Werftstraße is deteriorating as the high groundwater level undermines flood protection elements," warns the Bavarian city on its website. The rescue teams have decided to evacuate all residents of the entire street.
2:47 Rosenheim district reports easing of flood situation
The flood situation in the southern region of Rosenheim has improved somewhat. This is what the district authorities report. Schools and daycare centers in the region are expected to remain closed on Tuesday. Evacuations have occurred in Raubling and Rohrdorf. Initially, we didn't know how many people were affected. The disaster situation had already been declared. About 1000 emergency services personnel from the fire department and the Technical Relief Organization are in place, the district adds. According to a message from the German Meteorological Service, rainfall in Bavaria is expected to decrease significantly by overnight Tuesday.
01:30 German Meteorological Service cancels warnings across Germany:In a time of high tension due to flooding in southern Germany, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) has withdrawn all weather alerts around the country. The DWD has provided this information. Extremely heavy rainfall in previous days has increased the water levels of several streams and rivers, particularly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Whole villages have ended up underwater, even though some dams have had to break. Already, four lives have been claimed by the floods. Things continued to be challenging in specific sections of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg on a Monday.
12:15 Water levels in southwest are going down:In the aftermath of the recent flooding, many water levels in the southwest are once again decreasing. The flood prediction center points out that at most rivers, except for big ones like the Danube and the Rhine, the water is falling. There appear to be no critical values in sight that would cause exceedance, states a spokesperson. The Danube from Hundersingen gauge in Sigmaringen district downstream, as well as Lake Constance, Upper and Upper Rhine, are still expanding at this time. At the Danube's Maxau gauge near Karlsruhe, the previous peak value of 8.29 meters on Sunday is not expected to be surpassed again. The Neckar trend is descending.
22:55 Rosenheim district: Residents should stay indoors:The Rosenheim district in Upper Bavaria has urged residents to stay indoors due to the flooding. "There's a life-threatening peril," according to a statement from the district. People should avoid being outside, keep away from open bodies of water, and not hinder rescue teams in their work. On a Tuesday, schools are canceled in several communities: Brannenburg, Raubling, Rohrdorf, Oberaudorf, Kiefersfelden, Nussdorf, Neubeuern, and Bad Feilnbach. The State Education Authority of Rosenheim will notify the affected schools. Kindergartens in the cities are assumed to be shut down as well.
21:50 Rosenheim district: Sections of Burg Falkenstein have crumbled:In Flintsbach, Rosenheim District, sections of Burg Falkenstein have crumbled as a result of the heavy rain. This is reported by the Rosenheim district administration. 50 locals living below the castle must be rescued.
20:58 Germany's largest campsite must be abandoned:The campsite in Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, must be deserted within the following 24 hours due to the significant flood situation, according to the Grav-Island's managers. Rapidly rising water levels in the neighboring rivers and bodies of water necessitated this action by the campsite's management. Grav-Island is the biggest campsite in Germany with 5,000 permanent campers.
20:33 Loosening Soil: Regensburg's Werftstraße needs to be evacuated:The evacuation of Regensburg's Werftstraße is underway, as the city of Regensburg has made known. The street is situated along the Danube and the ground of the street is becoming increasingly unstable due to the increasingly high groundwater levels. The flood protection systems there might collapse, causing the street to flood. Nearly 200 people are now anticipated to leave by 21:00.
Find out more about all previous happenings here. [SIC]
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Read also:
- The international community could learn from Grimma's well system, as its large concrete wall also aids in flood prevention.
- In some areas, well systems like Grimma's might be integrated into comprehensive city defenses against floods, serving as a vital component of a worldwide approach to addressing this issue.
- As experts study cities around the world, they should take note of Grimma's well system and the concrete wall that contributes to its flood protection, considering their potential for implementations in other global cities to safeguard against flooding.
