Severe weather conditions trigger flood warning this weekend.
In the southern and southeastern regions, weather forecasters anticipate intensified rainfall. Officials are readying for potential flooding and issued flood warnings. Organizers of certain events have already begun canceling them ahead of time. Dams are also being prepared with additional storage space to accommodate the expected water mass.
The summer's weather has been put on hold temporarily. As reported by RTL/ntv weather specialists, low-pressure systems could re-emerge by the end of the month, bringing heavy rainfall to the south and eastern parts of Germany. A weekend with continuously heavy rain is expected. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) emitted an urgent notice for areas in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg on Thursday, warning of elevated rainfall. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg's disaster response teams advised nationwide flood warnings.
Dangers such as flooded roads, submerged vehicles, and river-situated buildings are potential threats due to the impending floods. Slides are also probable in certain areas. Teams have been assembled, river masters are prepared, and extra safety measures have been implemented at dams.
Meteorologists describe a low-pressure system with a range stretching from the Alps to Poland, which may lead to considerable and thunderous sustained rainfall. Rainfall spanning between 50 and 100 liters might be the potential amount within 48 hours, and experts conjecture possible flooding at such levels.
The DWD's formal weather warnings issued for the larger parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg were initially valid from Friday to Monday night. Alongside this, a tentative advisory was released for a sizable section of Thuringia and Saxony where considerable rainfall is estimated from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
In Thuringia, further storage capacity is being generated at dams to process the anticipated water masses. Selected types of events organized for the weekend were suspended ahead of time. Hessen employs warning levels for the possibility of floods, as heavy rain is expected, causing the Werra, Rhine, and Neckar rivers to surpass capacity.
Saxony requires inhabitants to prepare for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Between the eastern regions of Saxony and Erzgebirge, showers and thunderstorms augmented with strong winds and hail might transpire from midday. In the evening, rain will extend from southern Saxony, sometimes accompanied by showers and thunderstorms. Detailed warnings have been given for the Upper White Elster, the Mulde, and the Upper Elbe.
The nighttime hours on Friday into Saturday expect heavy rain, likely with accompanying showers and thunderstorms. Though Hickmann of the DWD pointed out, "In some parts of Thuringia, up to 100 liters of rain may accumulate per square meter," locally, 140 liters per square meter is attainable. The only region spared from drastic rainfall is Eichsfeld. All Thuringian rivers are predicted to swell with possible flooding.
Dams Create Extra Storage
The Thuringian State Office for the Environment, Mining, and Nature Conservation identified a probability of heavy rainfall from Saturday night to Monday in central, southern, and eastern Thuringia. A response team has been organized, and the municipalities and river authorities have been notified of the necessary additional storage space in dams to accumulate water. A number of events scheduled for the weekend have already been terminated.
Whereas powerful thunderstorms happen, there are dangers of lightning, uprooting trees, flash floods in roads and culverts, and hail. Hickmann noted that motorists should anticipate aquaplaning. Moreover, the rivers are brimming with water, and the soil is already saturated, rendering it incapable of handling much more rain.
Numerous Recreational Activities Cancelled
A number of planned weekend events have been aborted. In Bad Berka, for instance, the thrilling festival with a parade was shelved. A children's festival in Gotha was also curtailed. The Thuringian Sports Association Day, which involved over 700 participants, was called off Saturday at the egapark in Erfurt. The Thuringian Parliament moved the open day from Saturday.
In Zella-Mehlis, the unveiling of the new bike region on Saturday was rescheduled. The Landkreis Schmalkalden-Meiningen withdrew the kick-off function for the city cycling on June 1st due to the current weather warning. Mühlhausen deferred the children's festival. Erfurt indicated that visiting cemeteries or resisting forested zones should be avoided.
In Altenburg, fire departments have been cautioned. Certain areas have already taken preemptive measures with sandbags, noted the district administration in Altenburg. The DRK Water Rescue Service expressed concerns related to rising water levels in Thuringia. Quickly rising water levels could form a fatal situation, particularly for children and animals. Eroded river banks also increase the risk of landslides. Floodplains and meadows should be steered clear of.
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- In response to the flood warnings issued by the German Meteorological Service, officials in Thuringia are also preparing additional storage space at dams to accommodate the anticipated heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
- Despite the severe weather conditions and flood warnings, some events in Hesse have not been canceled and warning levels have been employed to alert the public about the possibility of floods, particularly along the Werra, Rhine, and Neckar rivers.
- Organizers of events in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where the weather service has issued urgent flood warnings, have already begun cancelling events in anticipation of the heavy rain and possible flooding.
- According to meteorologists, the low-pressure system stretching from the Alps to Poland could bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to Saxony, leading to potential danger from flooded roads, submerged vehicles, and river-situated buildings.
- As a result of the heavy rain and potential flooding, authorities in Erfurt have advised avoiding visiting cemeteries or resisting forested zones to ensure public safety.
