Highways partially closed due to water on A3.
The A3 motorway in Bavaria, near Regensburg, is closed for approximately ten kilometers between the exits of Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions. Flooding has occurred on the road, as reported by the Oberpfalz police headquarters. "Water from the fields is pushing onto the motorway," explains a spokesperson. The traffic police in Regensburg, the fire department, and police are all present at the scene. Traffic will be diverted, says the spokesperson.
In Memmingen, Bavaria, the prison is being evacuated due to the danger of flooding. News agency Nonstopnews reports that approximately 150 inmates will be temporarily relocated to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The river in front of the prison, called Memminger Ach, has turned into a raging stream and poses a flood threat to the facility, with parts of the courtyard already submerged underwater. This could cause a power outage, prompting prison management to make the decision to evacuate. Emergency vehicles from the police arrived on site to assist with the evacuation. However, the evacuation had to be carried out over flooded streets, as the approach was already flooded. The fire department was also present, using pumps to remove water from the prison.
Persistent rain is causing flooding at several gauges in Swabia, causing level 4 overflows at Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Regen in Cham (Upper Palatinate), as reported by the flood information service (HND). Centuries-old floods have been reported in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar).
The water level at the Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is predicted to reach peak level 3 on Saturday and Sunday. However, water levels in the lower Iller area are already decreasing. Individual gauges in the northern Danube tributaries of the Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab have experienced level 1 and 2 overflows, with a further increasing trend. The water levels between Neu-Ulm and Kelheim are expected to reach level 3, approximately in Günzburg, Donauwörth, and Neuburg. The Pegel Kelheim is expected to reach this level at night on Sunday. In the further Danube section leading to Passau, increases to levels 1 and 2 are anticipated.
Airport operations at Munich continue normally despite the bad weather in many parts of Bavaria. No flights have been canceled as of yet. Airport spokesman Robert Wilhelm told BR that while there is water standing next to the runways, the airport was built slightly elevated, has sunken runways, and is "grooved" (equipped with grooves that accelerate water drainage). This has prevented any risk of aquaplaning. The airport expects no major complications for the rest of the weekend.
Minister President Markus Söder is visiting the area of Swabia that has been particularly hit hard. He expressed his gratitude to the helpers and authorities during his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg district, stating that "Bavaria is crisis-proof." He also acknowledged the burden this situation is placing on citizens, stating, "This is not over yet. Things are really getting started now." Resources such as sandbags are being pooled in the region to help with the efforts. Söder thanked the rescue services such as the fire department, the Bavarian Red Cross, the police, and the Technical Relief Organization, calling their commitment "exemplary." He urged citizens to "please follow the rules," including compliance with evacuation orders and not attempting to leave their cellars or garages during the storm.
In light of the weather and flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, rail traffic has also been affected. Deutsche Bahn reports disruptions and train cancellations in South Germany. Two ICE lines have been significantly impacted, with no trains at all running between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich throughout the day on Saturday. The line between Ulm and Augsburg is also affected. For updates on cancellations and delays, residents can refer to the Bahn website.
The weather and flooding situation in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria continue to affect transportation through the region.
Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are experiencing atmospheric conditions that are causing flooding and disrupting rail travel. Deutsche Bahn has disclosed that there are disruptions and train cancellations in southern Germany, with two ICE routes severely impacted. There won't be any trains running between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich the whole day on Saturday. In addition, the line between Ulm and Augsburg is affected. For more information on track closures, cancellations, and delays, visit the Bahn website.
In the Bavarian region of Unterallgau, the catastrophe situation has escalated. In the town of Babenhausen, a portion of the mobile phone network has failed. Anyone in need of assistance and unable to make emergency calls should hang a white fabric out their window, according to the local administration. In Babenhausen, residents have already been rescued using inflatable boats.
Approximately 400 personnel from THW (Technical Relief Organization) have been deployed in South Germany to address the current weather conditions. They're working to pump water, secure dams, and evacuate people if necessary. THW predicts they might need to deploy extra workers as a result of continuous rainfall and potential floods in the coming hours. Mobile water level gauges will be deployed and monitored, per THW's statement. Nationwide, rescue teams are standing by. Each team consists of around 40 THW emergency responders who operate three sewage pumps, a generator, a reconnaissance vehicle, and a command center. Each team can remove up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.
A comprehensive map of current flood warnings can be found here. The map is updated regularly.
A 26-member mountain climbing group is reportedly stuck on the slopes of the Zugspitze, several hundred meters below the peak. According to BR, 60 cm of fresh snow has accumulated on the Zugspitze while heavy rain falls in the valley. The temperatures are below freezing, and the visibility is approximately 100 meters. Several teams have been dispatched to find the climbers in the midst of a blizzard, as reported by BR, quoting the Bergwacht Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The group is exhausted and may not be adequately equipped. It's still a mystery why they attempted to climb the Zugspitze despite the severe weather warnings.
The Landkreis Donau-Ries in Bavaria has declared a state of emergency. The goal is to "quickly and efficiently prepare for the anticipated water levels," explains Landrat Stefan Rößle. "It's crucial to maintain a calm demeanor and avoid low-lying regions as much as possible."
In the district of Augsburg, two dams have broken, and a dike that borders the Anhauser Weiher lake has given way. The Landratsamt has issued a warning to residents in specific streets in Diedorf. These residents are urged to evacuate their homes independently within the next hour and go to the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Evacuation preparations are underway in the Anhausen district of Diedorf. "It's no longer feasible to relocate to upper floors," Landesrat Roger Mercy states.
Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann will visit the flood-stricken area in the district of Augsburg on Saturday. The CSU politicians plan to inspect the flood development in Diedorf alongside the district administrator, Martin Sailer. The location of their visit was modified due to current events. In Diedorf, evacuation preparations are currently underway. The flood situation is particularly critical in the Swabian region. After Günzburg, Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have now been declared disaster zones.
The swollen Schussen River in Meckenbeuren, located within the Bodenseekreis region, is set to rise even higher. According to an update from a local town official, the current water level stands at 4.72 meters. Residents hope that the river will peak soon and start receding. Back in 2021, the river reached a height of 4.50 meters during a previous flood. Under normal circumstances, the Schussen River carries just 45 centimeters of water. As a precautionary measure, over 1,300 residents were urged to evacuate their homes on Friday evening. Many of them opted to stay with family or friends, while a limited number sought refuge in shelters. To minimize potential damages from flooding, schools, kindergartens, and community halls in the area were emptied early on. Moreover, several bridges were closed to mitigate any risks. The town of Meckenbeuren boasts a population of approximately 14,000.
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The International Red Cross has announced that they are preparing to provide aid and relief in affected areas due to the ongoing floods in Bavaria. Despite the live ticker updates, the situation on the A3 freeway remains critical, with water still posing a threat to vehicles.
The floodwaters have also reached a critical level on several freeways in South Germany, causing temporary closures and diversions. Drivers are advised to monitor the live ticker updates and adjust their travel plans accordingly.
