- Night work for rescue workers: flooding in Bruchsal
Severe storms have flooded streets, filled basements, and especially caused the river Saalbach in the district of Karlsruhe to rise dramatically. Firefighters, police, and rescue services are in continuous operation. In Bruchsal, residents were urged via the Nina warning app to evacuate ground floors and basements in certain areas of the city and to seek higher floors. Two civilian helpers were injured there - the severity of their injuries was initially unclear. In Gondelsheim, a helper was injured while transporting sandbags.
According to the flood control center, the river Saalbach reached its highest level at the Bruchsal gauge around 2:30 a.m., with over 2.13 meters - just above the level for a so-called 100-year flood of 2.10 meters. The old town of the Heidelsheim district was flooded, and there were also floods in the Bruchsal city center, particularly in underpasses, according to the fire department. However, water levels dropped again later that night.
Due to the storm, the city administration had asked residents to stay at home. According to their reports, the entire Bruchsal train station area is closed. It is expected that the closure will remain in effect until the morning hours. Train traffic between Gondelsheim and Bruchsal has been suspended. The Karlsruhe police urged people to avoid non-essential car journeys due to the stormy weather.
Hundreds of operations in the Karlsruhe area
The flood control center warned in the evening that due to locally heavy rainfall, there could be strong increases in water levels in some streams and small rivers in Baden-Württemberg overnight and on Wednesday. "In built-up areas, there may be local overloads of the sewer system and rapid flooding of streets, cellars, underpasses, and underground garages in individual cases," it said in a situation report. "Street flooding is also possible outside of built-up areas." There is no regional flood risk on larger rivers.
The district fire department association of Karlsruhe district announced shortly before midnight that firefighters had handled over 500 operations so far, with about 300 still open. Several hundred people are involved in the operations.
To coordinate storm operations across the district of Karlsruhe, the fire department declared an "extraordinary operational situation". "In addition, various cities and municipalities have convened administrative staff and fire stations are continuously staffed." The district administration has set up a crisis team.
"Absolute chaos"
In Gondelsheim, about 15 kilometers west of Karlsruhe, cars are being swept away by floodwaters, a fire department spokesman said in the early evening. There is "absolute chaos". People have reported being trapped in their cars by the water, a police spokesman said. However, the fire department currently does not consider evacuations necessary.
On the social network Facebook, the municipality informed that there is an emergency situation throughout the town. Those who can should support friends and neighbors. "After the rain, many helping hands and also pumps etc. will be needed."
The district road maintenance department is continuously driving along federal roads in the affected area with trucks to test accessibility via the road network, according to the fire department.
Power Cut Due to Safety Concerns
In Bruchsal, the city reported that power was turned off in some streets overnight due to safety concerns. The Fürst-Stirum Clinic was also affected by storm damage, according to the fire department, but it continues to operate without restrictions.
River Surpasses Previous High Water Marks
Impressive views from the flood control center showed the situation: The Gondelsheim water level line had been below the ten-centimeter mark for several days before suddenly rising to over 2.70 meters in the evening, surpassing flood events from 2013 (2.23 meters), 2015 (2.06 meters), and 1983 (1.95 meters). The water level dropped significantly before midnight. In Bruchsal, the water level rose similarly. In 2013, the water level was 1.68 meters.
Hottest Day of the Year
In Linkenheim-Hochstetten, lightning struck the attic of an apartment building, causing a fire. The fire department extinguished the flames.
Later, storms moved north over the Heilbronn region. Initially, a police spokesman reported only a few deployments, such as fallen trees. On the A81 highway, drivers were temporarily warned about aquaplaning.
According to preliminary data from the German Weather Service (DWD), Waghäusel-Kirrlach in the Karlsruhe district recorded the second-highest temperature nationwide on Tuesday, with 36.3 degrees Celsius. Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler in Rhineland-Palatinate took first place with 36.5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far, according to preliminary data.
The flood control center warned that due to local heavy rainfall, there might be strong increases in water levels in some streams and small rivers in Germany, particularly in built-up areas, leading to rapid flooding of streets, cellars, underpasses, and underground garages in individual cases. Despite the severe situation, firefighters from the district of Karlsruhe had already handled over 500 operations, with about 300 still ongoing.
