Tempest Strikes - Persisting struggle to combat flooding in the southwest region
In Baden-Württemberg, rescue teams are battling against the impending floods in various parts of the state, with Oberschwaben being most impacted. Rivers burst their banks and roads were submerged. The cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm, however, are no longer at risk of severe flooding. Both announced on Saturday that they would reach level 4 warning on the Danube and level 3 warning on the Iller, allowing them to issue a precautionary warning.
A central sandbag storage facility has been ordered at Friedrichshafen's fairgrounds on Lake Constance. Fire department officials revealed that approximately 10,000 sandbags would be brought there from a nearby district.
There could be heavy flooding in several communities along the rivers in southern Germany, which have experienced constant rain. While there were no major floods overnight, experts predict a one-hundred-year flood in many regions. The focus is particularly on the Lake Constance region: Around 1,300 residents were advised to evacuate their homes in Meckenbeuren on Friday night. The situation has stabilized slightly, according to a fire department representative. Generally, it's assumed that water levels will decrease somewhat, as a significant amount of water has already entered the lake. A school was protected with sandbags because it was still unclear if the Schussen would overflow at that moment. They're keeping a close eye on the situation. A local festival in Ravensburg was cancelled and participants were asked to leave early. The city of Ravensburg assured there was no actual danger.
The excessive rain is causing the water level of the Rhine to rise. The High Water Forecast Center in Karlsruhe anticipates crossing the critical mark of 7.50 meters at the Rhine gauge in Maxau, resulting in shipping unable to continue on the corresponding Rhine section in Karlsruhe. Shipping between Iffezheim and Karlsruhe had to cease at night on Sunday.
In Weingarten near Ravensburg, the city stated their situation had improved in the morning. However, they cannot lift the warning yet, said an official. Residents were advised on Friday night to stay with family members and friends outside the areas threatened by rising water levels and avoid basements and cellars.
In Lindau on Lake Constance, the first streets and underpasses were flooded on Friday night, causing the city bus service to halt. Fire department and emergency personnel remained in continuous service.
In Wangen im Allgäu, a flood warning was set off on Friday night. The city garden show remained closed on Saturday due to safety concerns, as a spokesperson for the city reported. "There's a lot of water in the river, and it's unclear how the situation will develop further, as more rain is predicted within the next few hours." The level of the Argen river is being monitored closely.
More intense rainfall is expected.
The German Weather Service predicts heavy, prolonged rainfall of up to 80 liters per square meter in the Hohenlohe region, ranging from the Swabian Alb to Lake Constance. In the Swabian Alb and southern Upper Swabia, between 100 and 150 liters per square meter is forecasted. In the Ostalb region, 60 liters per square meter were recorded in the past 24 hours, and in the Allgau region, 90 liters per square meter.
On Friday night, the Günzburg district declared a state of emergency - precautionary. The objective is to more effectively assist the potentially affected towns and municipalities, the district administration stated. For this purpose, emergency services from the entire district are required.
In Waldshut-Tiengen, a camping site was cleared due to the flood risk. On Friday night, the Rhine was threatening to overflow, prompting the evacuation of mobile homes near the riverbank. On Saturday, a parking lot of a neighbouring swimming pool was flooded.
In the Landkreis Biberach, people in affected areas were advised to prioritize their safety. There's a potential risk to life. They should prepare emergency kits and download the NINA warning app onto their smartphones for timely updates - ensuring their phones are switched on and not in airplane mode. "The phone needs to be on and not in airplane mode," stressed the district administration of the particularly affected region of Ravensburg.
