Severe weather system brings strong winds and heavy rainfall. - Southward Flooding: Escorting Folks to Safety
Saturday is causing worry in many river communities across South Germany due to the persistent rainfall. Residents of certain locales are urged to stay away from their basement areas or even consider alternative sleeping arrangements for a few days. One district has initiated disaster mode preparations.
The main focus is on the Lake Constance region: Almost 1,300 people in the Baden-Württemberg town of Meckenbeuren are recommended to leave their homes because of impending floods. This is not an evacuation, but a precautionary measure, stated a spokeswoman from Upper Swabia's community. The Schussen River is predicted to experience particularly intense flooding.
The fire department has been announcing these advisories, urging residents to sleep at relatives' or friends' properties. Alternatively, shelters are also available.
"We are hopeful that the weather situation will stabilize and the flood levels will not be as severe as anticipated," said Mayor Georg Schellinger in a statement. "Tonight, we anticipate surpassing previous Schussen flood heights. That's why we started the evacuation process today. We hope that people can manage this complex situation in a calm and composed manner, pack their belongings, and ideally remain with friends - rather than being abruptly awakened in the middle of the night."
In nearby Weingarten near Ravensburg, inhabitants of several sections of the city are advised to avoid lower floors and definitely refrain from sleeping in their basements. This directive was recently issued by the fire department. They were also advised to spend the nights with relatives and friends outside the regions at risk of rising water levels.
"It is not clear how swiftly the water levels will rise any further. Therefore, caution is necessary!" advised the emergency services' website. It cannot be ruled out that specific cities or municipalities might decide on evacuations.
Fire department and Technical Relief Service in extended operation
In Lindau am Bodensee, certain streets and underpasses are already flooded, and the city bus service had to be temporarily suspended. Fire department and Technical Relief Service are working around the clock, reported a city spokesperson. From a multi-family home, residents needed to be evacuated because of the risk of a short circuit caused by water seepage.
Primarily, significant rainfall is expected in large parts of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria this weekend. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), there's a high likelihood of heavy rainfall in many places with up to 120 liters of rain per square meter possible.
The District of Günzburg has already declared a precautionary disaster situation - proactively. In Günzburg, the goal is to better serve potentially affected towns and villages by mobilizing all district emergency services. Camping and recreational areas along the rivers Günz, Kammel, and Mindel should be evacuated, as many guests at the Legoland amusement park might be staying for the Pentecost holidays.
"We take the situation seriously," remarked Landrat Hans Reichhart (CSU). "We aim to optimize the time we have before the flood reaches the Günzburg area." The Water Management Office predicts a once-in-a-century flood.
Prepare emergency kits
Further west along the Danube, areas like Neu-Ulm and their tributaries face a potentially heavy flood that statistically occurs every 50 to 100 years. In the Biberach district, residents in risky zones were urged to prepare for their safety. There is potential danger and they should create emergency kits.
And the NINA warning application should be installed on their smartphones to receive timely information - with it set to trigger an alarm when an evacuation order is issued. "The phone must be switched on and not in flight mode," stressed the Ravensburg district administration.
Flood risk also in Hesse, severe weather danger in the east
Rainfall in other regions has increased the water levels in rivers, with further rises anticipated. In Hesse, according to the regional office for nature conservation, environmental protection, and geology, a flood that occurs statistically only once every 20 years on the Rhine and Neckar is possible.
In the east of Germany, people need to brace for significant rain and, in some situations, thunderstorms. However, the severe weather is forecast to affect Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt with less severity than initially estimated. [English translation by AI]
Source: https://www.hauptsache-wirtschaft.de/de/lieferant/news/ueberflutungen-starker-regen-konditionient-teilung-100594190
This translation was done using a Machine Translation. It contains valued information but might not be grammatically correct. If you find any grammar mistake in my translation, please let me know. English is not my first language. Thank you.
Read also:
- The severe weather system is causing concerns in Baden-Württemberg, particularly in the district of Günzburg, due to continuous rainfall.
- The impending floods in Meckenbeuren, a town in Baden-Württemberg, have led to the recommendation of evacuation for nearly 1,300 residents.
- The focus in Southern Germany is on the Lake Constance region, where floods are expected to be severe due to heavy rainfall.
- The fire department in Ravensburg and nearby Weingarten is urging residents to avoid low-lying areas and basements due to potential flooding.
- In the District of Günzburg, residents of camping and recreational areas along the Günz, Kammel, and Mindel rivers have been advised to evacuate.
- The German Weather Service (DWD) forecasts heavy rainfall across large parts of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, with up to 120 liters of rain per square meter possible.
- The city of Lindau am Bodensee is already experiencing flooding, with certain streets and underpasses submerged.
- The fire department and Technical Relief Service are working tirelessly in Lindau am Bodensee to deal with the flood situation.
- In the east of Germany, areas like Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt may also experience significant rain and thunderstorms.
- The precise impact of the floods on Bavaria, including cities like Neu-Ulm and their tributaries, is still uncertain.
- The THW (Technical Assistance for the Federal Government) is playing a crucial role in disaster management and evacuation efforts in flood-affected areas.
- The authorities in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are urging residents to prepare emergency kits and stay updated on the weather situation.
- Landslides and flooding in Upper Swabia have led to widespread disruption, including the suspension of public transportation services.
- The floods in Germany are part of a larger climate pattern, with the nation seeing an increase in extreme weather events in recent years.
