Scholz praises rescuers in flood-stricken regions at 11:37.
Germany's federal chancellor, Olaf Scholz, pays tribute to the rescue workers and helpers in flood-stricken regions. He expresses his condolences over the death of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen, extending his sympathy to the rescuer's relatives and colleagues. In Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm district, the firefighter lost his life during a rescue operation at night.
11:10 Flooding is a focus at Catholic Day in Erfurt.The head of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing, extends a special blessing to those impacted by the floods during the final mass of the Catholic Day in Erfurt. He prays for the protection and preservation of human lives. Bätzing addresses this at the Erfurt Cathedral.
10:54 Meckenbeuren districts are under water.Parts of Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis are submerged. The Schussen overflowed, flooding streets. A spokeswoman notes that over 1300 people have voluntarily relocated to safety. Some residents stayed in their homes and moved to the upper floors. With the Schussen's water level exceeding 4.86 meters on Saturday evening, it has since dropped, typically standing at 0.45 meters.
10:29 Söder honors deceased firefighter.Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder acknowledges the departed firefighter who perished during a flood-related rescue operation. Söder professes the firefighter's altruistic commitment to others will never be forgotten. "Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with his family and colleagues." The 42-year-old volunteer firefighter died when a rescue boat capsized near Affalterbach and Uttenhofen, where a submerged house was targeted.
10:01 Ukraine football team shifts Olympics training due to rainfall.Ukraine's national football team is unable to train at the Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg as scheduled on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. before the EM test match against Germany. Instead, the team prepares in Erlangen to spare the lawn's condition. A Ukrainian team spokesman provides details. Ukraine is slated to play Germany on Monday at 8:45 p.m. on Nuremberg Field.
9:31 Munich experiences 290 firefighter deployments due to flooding.Munich also faces the repercussions of the incessant rain. Since Saturday at 6:00 a.m., the city's fire department has attended over 290 incidents. The majority of their work consisted of pumping water from flooded cellars and basements. Numerous trees were uprooted, requiring street closures. The Saturday evening Isar flood warning level 2's exemption has since abated.
09:00 Anhausen slowly recovers after dam break.Anhausen is experience a steady improvement in its high water situation since a five-km away dam burst caused instant flooding. Reporter Niklas Diemer notes that evacuees are cautiously returning. However, the water levels in other areas remain dire.
08:44 THW intensifies assistance in flood areas.The Technical Relief Organization (THW) is sending reinforcements to the flooded areas of southern Germany. Currently, over 1800 people are actively involved, reports a THW spokesperson. The helpers are securing dams, filling sandbags, and aiding in evacuations in inundated zones. Concurrently, the fire department and other emergency services are providing assistance.
08:18 Landslide threatens train and car in Baden-Württemberg.The continuous flooding issues in Germany are causing alarm and anxiety. A landslide in eastern Baden-Württemberg damages a train and car and may signal a 100-year-high water event. Rescuers and aids are at the limits of their capabilities.
07:52 ICE to be recovered from landslide in the morning.The damaged ICE in Schwäbisch Gmünd being recuperated Sunday morning. The regional train cannot cross the track. Meanwhile, a save locomotive helps in the recovery. Timespan of closure is unknown. The ICE suffered derailment due to landslide on Saturday evening with 185 passengers on board.
07:36 Person reported missing in Schrobenhausen.A person is missing in Schrobenhausen. The individual is believed to have been in the cellar of a residence when the flood overwhelmed the area. The cellar and parts of the upper level are now underwater, reported a spokesman for the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen District Office. Access to the house by the rescue teams is not currently possible.
07:44 Firefighter Passes Away in Pfaffenhofen an der IlmA firefighter loses his life in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria. He was with three other colleagues in a rescue boat when it overturned, leaving him dead by dawn. The local office's spokesperson revealed this information.
07:29 Flooding Moving Lower: More Level 4 Alerts in Several PlacesLevel 4 flood warnings still hold true in various gauges across Bavaria. The focus has shifted to the southern tributaries of the Danube, such as the Günz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Danube. The peak level was reached overnight. Now, the flood moves downstream, from Swabia to Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. Places like Neuburg, Kelheim, and Regensburg might be affected, but the peak wave will only be seen at the beginning of the week. In particular, rising water levels are forecast in Mühlried, located in the Schrobenhausen district, and Manching and Geisenfeld in the Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm district, on Sunday.
06:54 German Meteorological Service Anticipates More Heavy Rain in the SouthIn both Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, heavy rain and thunderstorms are a looming threat according to the German Meteorological Service (DWD). According to their forecast from the morning, thunderstorms are expected from noon to Monday night. Streets and basements could flood once more while lightning strikes may cause local damage.
05:39 Evacuations Expand in Augsburg DistrictDue to the rising water levels in the flooded areas of the Augsburg district, authorities are asking people to leave the communities of Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen immediately. Buses will be provided for those who cannot exit the areas themselves. Although not limited to these areas, other parts of the district have also been urged to vacate their homes at evenings and nights. Predominantly, these places are along the Schmutter River, a tributary of the Danube.
05:05 Wiesbaden Prepares for Rising Water LevelsDue to potential water levels on the Rhine and Main, the authorities in Wiesbaden are taking action. They built a flood protection wall in the district of Kostheim and installed a pump in the Rhine-facing district of Schierstein. The fire department warns people to avoid parking lots near the river during the coming days. At the moment, it's predicted no additional measures will be taken.
04:04 Train Traffic Between Stuttgart and Munich HaltedTrain movement between Stuttgart and Munich has been suspended because of a landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd. The length of time this will last is uncertain. A rail spokesperson could not provide an answer in the morning. The landslide is blocking the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, whereas train traffic between Ulm and Augsburg was already impeded due to the floods in southern Germany and long-distance trains had to be re-routed.
03:13 THW Fills 30,000 Sandbags in UlmIn a nighttime operation, the Technical Relief Organization (THW) in Ulm has been working on filling sandbags for the flooded and endangered areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. 30,000 sandbags will be delivered by Sunday morning, stated Bernd Urban, head of the THW logistics center. "At present, we can fill 400 sandbags per hour." Sandbag requests are coming from various emergency areas in the southwest as well as neighboring regions within the neighboring federal state. Persistent rain has resulted in substantially increased water levels at a handful of locations in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
02:25 Red Cross Sends Water Rescuers to GünzburgThe Bavarian Red Cross deploys water rescuers from Unterfranken to assist relief efforts in Swabia. The water rescue team is headed for the particularly hit district of Günzburg. The water rescue team consists of two boat and diving squads, specially trained for flood relief operations. In the Swabian district of Günzburg, flood levels have reached those seen in a hundred-year flood. This flood level is expected once or twice a century.
01:27 Locomotive Carriages Derail at Schwäbisches Gmünd Due to LandslideA landslide in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd has caused the suspension of ICE locomotive traffic between Stuttgart and Munich. The length of time this route will be closed is not yet known. A railway spokesperson cannot calculate this in the morning. The landslide has stopped the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, while train traffic between Ulm and Augsburg was previously halted due to floods in Southern Germany, and long-distance trains were rerouted.
Two train carriages on a high-speed ICE train derailed in the town of Schwaebisch Gmuend in Baden-Wuerttemberg due to a landslide. The incident occurred around 23:20, leaving 185 passengers unharmed. The train did not overturn, but the landslide measured approximately 30 meters wide. The passengers will be evacuated and temporarily relocated to a nearby kindergarten before being transported to Ploedhausen by bus.
A car became trapped by a landslide in the town of Schwaebisch Gmuend. The driver escaped unharmed, and the landslide ran parallel to the road and railway line. Heavy rainfall has been pounding Baden-Wuerttemberg since Friday.
Neu-Ulm, which is about 50 km east of Stuttgart, has apparently passed the peak of the flood waves on the Danube and Iller, avoiding the feared 100-year flood. However, the extent of the damage is still unknown. The city has closed several streets, including the Danube and Iller promenades, as well as the surrounding cycle paths.
The Munich fire department warns citizens of potential danger near the Isar River due to high water levels. Two popular hiking trails along the Isar have also been closed. The Isar has reached level 2 in Munich, which represents slight flooding on non-built areas or minor traffic disruptions.
Firefighters are preparing to evacuate 670 residents in the Upper Bavarian town of Schrobenhausen. Excavators and boats are in use to aid the evacuation in the districts of Muhlried and one street along the Weilach river. A citizen's phone line has been set up for emergency situations. The town had previously declared a state of emergency. The District Administrator Peter von der Grün describes the situation as particularly worrisome in the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district.
Multiple firefighting interventions took place in Eastern Thuringia due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The Greiz district control center reports that these events caused flooded roads, fields, cellars, and an overflowed stream in the Liebschwitz neighborhood.
The meteorological service in Germany notes a slight reduction in rainfall intensity during the night but warns that new showers and thunderstorms from the north may lead to local flooding again on Sunday afternoon. These showers could be particularly intense and long-lasting, causing additional issues if they strike the already saturated ground. The areas most threatened by these rain events are the Swabian Alb, regions slightly north of it, and areas around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.
The Freising district has declared a disaster situation due to flooding risks posed by the Amper and Glonn rivers. The district administration expresses concern about potential flooding in the town of Hohenkammer and other districts along the Amper. Residents are urged to take precautions, such as emptying their cellars, in anticipation of a possible extreme event. The Freising district joins nine other Bavarian districts in declaring a disaster situation.
Dillingen, a district in southern Bavaria, has also declared a disaster situation due to continuous rainfall. The district administration reports that the risk of flooding on the Zusam, a tributary of the Danube, has increased during the evening. The local crisis staff is asking for Bundeswehr assistance. The imminent 100-year flood could primarily affect nearby towns Like Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. The authorities are also planning to release water from the overloaded Danube into the Riedstrom, a natural floodplain of the river. Farmers are requested to secure their livestock.
7:59 p.m.: Eighth municipality in Bavaria declares emergency situation The district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen declares a state of emergency as the eighth municipality in Bavaria. The reason is the rising water levels in the Danube and its tributaries, according to information from the district administration of the Upper Bavarian municipality. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt expects level 4 at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation is even more critical at the Paar, one of the Danube tributaries, and at the Weilach, which flows into the Paar. According to the district administration in Schrobenhausen, the Weilach has overflowed in the Mühldorf area of Schrobenhausen and has inundated a residential neighborhood. Emergency services are preparing to evacuate residents there, as district administrator Peter von der Grün reports. The situation is particularly alarming in the southern part of the district. Von der Grün stressed that the protection of roads, bridges, and pathways is a top priority. "Only then can the fire department continue to respond to emergencies."
7:14 p.m.: Life-threatening situation: Red Cross rescues people from roofs with helicopterThe Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) has rescued two people from the roof of their house in Babenhausen using a helicopter. A BRK spokesperson describes the situation as life-threatening. The house in the Unterallgäu district was at risk of collapsing due to the massive amounts of water. Other people were retrieved from their homes using inflatable boats. The rescue teams saved more than 100 people - including many children.
7:01 p.m.: People in multiple locations near Augsburg instructed to leave their homesWater rescuers also had to free people from their cars, who couldn't open their doors due to the water masses. According to the spokesperson, such a situation can quickly become life-threatening due to the current and the rising water in the vehicles.
In several municipalities of the Augsburg district, people are being told to leave their homes and apartments due to the imminent flooding. The situation is expected to worsen in the northern part of the district in the evening, says a spokeswoman for the Augsburg district administration. The regions affected include parts of Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf. The government of Swabia has set up a temporary shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
6:38 p.m.: Bundeswehr assists in flood-affected regions in BavariaThe Bundeswehr is assisting in flood-affected areas in Bavaria. "The Bundeswehr is supporting the districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, as both districts have submitted an official request," says a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Army Command to the radio station Antenne Bayern. "In the vicinity of Günzburg, blankets and mattresses are being distributed. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, approximately 50 female and male Bundeswehr soldiers are expected in the next few hours. In addition, two trucks of the Bundeswehr are in operation."
6:05 p.m.: Minister Faeser secures further support for affected regions in Southern GermanyFederal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser secures additional support for the regions affected by the floods in Southern Germany. "Due to the heavy, continuous rain and impending floods, the THW is prepared nationwide to deploy more forces," the SPD politician says in Berlin, referring to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW). "We will continue to support the affected federal states with all available forces." According to Faeser, there are currently 520 THW helpers and helpers on duty. They have rescued people, reinforced dikes, and pumped water away. Faeser also thanked all volunteers and officials: "I would like to thank all the helpers very much who are currently fighting against the water masses and are tirelessly providing assistance to save lives." The residents of the flooded regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg should pay close attention to the warnings and instructions from the authorities, Faeser said. "Please take these warnings very seriously!"
6:00 p.m.: 29 mountain climbers rescued at ZugspitzeThe mountain climbers in difficulty at Zugspitze (see Live Ticker entry at 3:15 p.m.) have been rescued. 29 people were guided by the mountain rescue service to the Sonnalpin restaurant at Zugspitzplatt. Several groups had called for assistance, a spokesperson for the mountain rescue service said. They had not been able to continue further due to poor weather and new snow at about 2500 meters above sea level, about 900 meters before the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue service was mobilized. Zugspitzbahn employees were also on their way with snow groomers to search for the mountain climbers, said a spokeswoman for the Zugspitzbahn.
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has issued a warning for potential dangerous thunderstorms in some areas of Brandenburg. The districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree are currently facing the second highest alert level until nighttime. The possible dangers include lightning strikes, falling trees or power lines, falling objects, fast road flooding, landslides, or hail.
18:11 Water on the motorway - A3 temporarily closed
The A3 motorway in Bavaria, near Regensburg, has been closed for about ten kilometers between the interchanges of Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions due to heavy water accumulation. A representative from the Upper Palatinate police stated that water is traveling down from the fields onto the road. Authorities such as the Traffic Police in Regensburg, the Highway Administration (Autobahnmeisterei), and the Fire Department are present at the scene. The traffic will be diverted, according to a spokesperson.
17:51 Prison in Memmingen being evacuated
The prison in Memmingen has been evacuated due to the risk of flooding. The news agency Nonstopnews reported this information. About 150 inmates will be temporarily relocated to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The Memminger Ach, a small river that passes close to the prison, has swelled into a strong current and threatens to flood the institution. Parts of the prison's courtyard are already under water. This might cause a power outage, resulting in the evacuation decision. The police arrived with multiple emergency vehicles for the evacuation. The evacuation operation had to be carried out through flooded streets because the access was already flooded also. The Fire Department was also engaged in pumping water out of the prison.
17:35 Heavy rain causes water levels to rise to level 4
Intense rain has led to water levels rising to level 4 in various parts of Swabia. In Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, rivers are swelling rapidly. The High Water Notification Service (HND) informs that the gauges in Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), and Nattenhausen (Guenz) have already reached level 4. The same is expected in Dasing (Paar). Furthermore, the Regen river in Cham, Upper Palatinate, might experience a one-hundred-year flood. The Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is anticipated to reach its peak at a Meldestufe 3 level on the weekend. The water levels in the lower Iller are already declining. In the northern Donauzuflusses (Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmuhl, Schwarze Laber, Naab), there are individual gauges with outflows of Meldestufe 1 and 2, with an increasing trend. In the Donau course from Neu-Ulm to Kelheim, water levels are projected to rise to Meldestufe 3 throughout the day on Sunday. The Pegel Kelheim is expected to follow. In the further Donau course to Passau, increases of Meldestufen 1 and 2 are expected.
17:23 Despite the downpour, operations at Munich Airport continue as usual
Despite the persistent rainfall in numerous regions of Bavaria, flight operations at Munich International Airport are proceeding as planned. No flight departures have had to be canceled. There are multiple reasons for this. "We observe water standing in the meadows next to the runways," said airport representative Robert Wilhelm to Bavarian Radio. The airport is situated slightly higher. In addition, its runways have been constructed with a slight depression, allowing water to drain away. In addition, the runways have grooves for efficient water drainage. As a result, the risk of aquaplaning is not significant. According to Wilhelm, the airport's flight operations are not expected to experience any significant disruption over the weekend.
17:07 Soder: "Things are just heating up now"
Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soder received an overview of the current situation in the heavily impacted Swabia region. He thanked the numerous helpers and authorities during his visit to Diedorf in the Augsburg District. Bavaria remains prepared, says the Minister-President while joined by Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann. Citizens are bearing the brunt of this ordeal, he remarked. And he added, "This is not over yet. Things are really heating up now." The focus of the storm is currently directed at Swabia, making preparations like sandbags necessary. "No amount of aid would work without the helpers and helpers," Soder addressed the emergency services such as the Fire Department, Bavarian Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. They have exhibited great resolve and commitment. To the citizens, he urged, "Please follow the directions." In the situation of evacuation orders, it is crucial that people obey and not attempt to return to their basements or try to drive out of their garages.
Severe weather conditions, including storms and flooding, are wreaking havoc on rail transport in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, affecting two major ICE lines. Deutsche Bahn has confirmed that there will be disruptions and cancellations on these lines, with no trains running between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich on Saturday due to the flood. Additionally, the line connecting Ulm and Augsburg is also affected. For further details on track closures, cancellations, and delays, refer to the Bahn website.
In the town of Babenhausen, part of the mobile phone network has ceased to function. Those in need who can't make calls are advised to hang a white cloth out of their windows to indicate their need for assistance. Local authorities are already conducting rescue operations using inflatable boats in this district, as reported by Babenhausen district administration.
Over 400 personnel from the Technical Relief Organization (THW) are currently deployed in South Germany, providing relief through water pumping, dam securing, and preventive evacuations. THW reported these activities, and they are preparing to send more personnel if necessary. Mobile flood gauges are being installed and monitored in the affected areas, with groups on standby nationwide.
The Bavarian district of Unterallgäu is experiencing a disaster situation, with flood warnings across the region. If you require help, hang a white sheet or cloth out of your window. Rescue operations have already been conducted in Babenhausen, where people have been evacuated from their homes by inflatable boats.
Currently, about 400 THW forces are working in South Germany. These forces have been conducting water pumping, dam securing, and preventive evacuations. The THW anticipates further flooding in the coming hours and is standing by with more resources should they be needed.
To find all current flood warnings on a single map, refer to the provided graphic. It is being updated regularly.
A 26-member mountain climbing group is reportedly stuck several hundred meters below the summit of the Zugspitze. This occurred during a particularly heavy snowfall and rainfall combined with sub-freezing temperatures and poor visibility. Rescue teams have been dispatched to find the climbers, but their exact location and condition are unknown. It is unclear why they decided to climb the Zugspitze under such extreme weather conditions.
The Donau-Ries district in Bavaria has declared a disaster emergency, so they can mobilize resources and take more efficient action against the incoming water levels. District Administrator Stefan Rössle urged residents to remain calm and avoid low-lying areas.
In Augsburg, a dam and dike have both broken, necessitating the evacuation of residents in certain streets across the town. In specific neighborhoods in Diedorf, evacuation preparations are taking place. The situation in the Swabian region is extremely critical, and both Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg districts have also declared a disaster emergency.
Bavaria's Minister-President, Markus Söder, and Interior Minister, Joachim Herrmann, plan to travel to the flood area in Augsburg's Diedorf on Saturday. They plan to view the damage personally while working closely with District Administrator Martin Sailer.
The rising Schussen river in Meckenbeuren has authorities on edge. The river's level has climbed to 4.72 meters, as stated by a town representative. Officials are optimistic that the flood will peak soon. In contrast, during the last flood in 2021, the river rose to 4.50 meters. Typically, the river flows with just 45 centimeters of water. To avert potential damage from the floods, the municipality advised approximately 1300 people to relocate on Friday night. The majority of them have sought shelter with friends or relatives. A mere handful of residents sought refuge in a makeshift shelter. To prevent potential damage from flooding, schools, childcare facilities, and community halls were preemptively cleared out. In this town of 14,000 people, bridges were also closed as a protective measure.
Read also:
- Following his tribute to the rescuers in flood-stricken regions, Chancellor Scholz reiterates Germany's commitment to international cooperation in addressing climate-related disasters at a G7 meeting.
- In the live ticker updates, it is reported that International Red Cross volunteers join local rescuers in the flood areas to provide additional aid and support to those affected.
- During an emergency press conference, Scholz highlights the urgent need for international collaboration in funding and research to develop more resilient infrastructure against future floods, citing the efforts of rescuers in flood-stricken regions as a reflection of the severity of the situation.
