The number of casualties due to flooding in Europe continues to climb.
Flooding in various parts of Austria, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic has led to at least eleven fatalities. Austria has reported two additional deaths as per police, bringing the total to thirteen. In the Czech Republic, one individual lost their life in the Krasovka river in the eastern region of Moravia-Silesia, according to Police President Martin Vondrasek. The current death toll stands at eleven in the four nations. Czech authorities have also reported at least seven individuals missing.
14:04 Flooding in Europe: German government extends assistanceThe German government has extended its assistance to individuals affected by the flooding in several European countries. Spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann stated in Berlin, "The people in our neighboring countries, our European partners, and the people here should know: We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to help." The destruction in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania is at times catastrophic. Hoffmann expressed, "We are appalled by the images and the news of deaths and missing persons. On behalf of the federal government, we offer our condolences and sympathy to all those affected."
13:43 Orban delays international engagements due to floodingHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has postponed all his international engagements due to the flooding in the country. Orban announced on X, "Due to the extreme weather conditions and the ongoing flooding in Hungary, I have postponed all my international engagements." Further details were not provided. Orban was scheduled to participate in a debate on the program of the six-month Hungarian EU Council presidency in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday. The right-wing politician frequently faces criticism from the European Parliament and the European Commission.
13:12 Ostrava submerged under water: Breaches in dikes in the third-largest city in the Czech RepublicEvacuation measures have been expanded in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, due to the imminent flooding danger. Environment Minister Petr Hladik declared after an emergency meeting, "It appears that there have been breaches in several districts." Residents were evacuated using inflatable boats. Approximately 100 cubic meters of water per second are flowing through the gaps. Attempts are being made to fill the gaps with stones. Ostrava, inhabited by around 285,000 people, is situated at the confluence of several rivers, including the Oder and the Opava. The mining and industrial city is located roughly 280 kilometers east of Prague. Train traffic to Ostrava and further towards Poland is completely halted. A power plant had to be shut down. In nearby Bohumin, power and mobile phone networks were disrupted due to flooding. The drinking water supply has collapsed in numerous areas.
12:33 Rainfall record: 450 liters of rain per square meter in a Czech townThe rainfall from depression "Anett" has been remarkable: Since Friday, 450 liters of rain per square meter have fallen in Serec, a town in the Czech Republic, near the Polish border. This is the highest rainfall of recent days, noted ntv.de weather expert Oliver Scheel. In Germany, Ruhpolding/Berchtesgadener Land has the highest amount with 320 liters in four days. In Austria, 364 liters fell in the area around St. Pölten and 369 liters in Lilienfeld. In Vienna, 279 liters were recorded, although the measuring stations then failed, so precise amounts are currently unavailable. In Poland, the highest amount of 200 liters fell in Katowice.
12:25 Romania: Floods claim six lives in the Carpathian regionHeavy rainfall and severe flooding in Romania's Carpathian region have led to at least six fatalities. The regions of Galati, Vaslui, and Iasi in the east of the country were particularly affected. Around 300 individuals were forced to evacuate, and approximately 6,000 farmhouses were flooded. The victims were primarily elderly individuals, including two women aged 96 and 86. The highest flood warning level remains in effect until noon. Isolated villages were mostly affected, with people taking refuge on rooftops to avoid being swept away by the floodwaters. Hundreds of firefighters have been dispatched.
11:59 Flooding in Saxony: Elbe crest surpassedThe water levels of the Elbe in Saxony continue to rise. In Dresden, the level is at 5.62 meters as of mid-morning, according to the state flood center. The second flood warning stage was announced on Sunday evening. The threshold for the third alarm stage, which is at six meters, is expected to be surpassed early Tuesday morning. By Wednesday evening, the Elbe's level in Dresden could continue to rise and reach its peak. In Schöna, situated on the border with the Czech Republic, the third alarm stage is in effect with an Elbe water level of 6.13 meters. The flood center anticipates water levels to decrease in Görlitz on the Neiße. The highest point of a flood is called the crest.
11:01 Wroclaw on Flood AlertAfter some severe weather and flooding in southwestern Poland, the city of Wroclaw (Breslau) in Lower Silesia is preparing for an incoming wave of floodwater. Mayor Jacek Sutryk has declared a flood alert for the city on the Oder River. Measures include constant monitoring of dikes, controlling and protecting canals, and closing dike crossings, Sutryk explained in a Facebook video. The floodwave is predicted to hit Wroclaw on Wednesday. Earlier predictions that the city would not be severely affected have been revised, Sutryk mentioned. Although the flood is not expected to reach the heights of the 1997 Oder flood, which submerged a third of the city, Sutryk highlighted that the infrastructure has greatly improved since then, with new dikes, retention basins, and polder systems. He hopes the floodwaters will stay out of the city.
10:35 Austrian Governor's Comment on Flood Situation: "Still Critical and Dramatic"
Despite a momentary break in the rain, the flood situation in eastern Austria remains extremely precarious. "It's not over yet, it remains critical, it remains dramatic," says Lower Austria's Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner. By Monday, up to 80 liters of rain per square meter are forecast for some regions. The current major issue is the dams. "There is a high risk of dam failure," officials report. Life in public places has mostly come to a halt. Over 200 roads in Lower Austria are closed, about 1,800 buildings have been evacuated, and many schoolchildren and kindergarteners are staying home, Mikl-Leitner added. Over 3,500 households are currently without power. The extent of the damage is at present unknowable. "The flood victims will certainly be helped," the governor assured. In the past few days, up to 370 liters of rain per square meter have fallen in some regions of Lower Austria - several times the usual monthly amount.
10:10 Flooding Increases on Elbe River in Saxony
The water levels on the Elbe River in Saxony keep rising. According to data from the State Flood Control Center, the value in Dresden is at 5.54 meters as of morning. It is anticipated that the six-meter mark will be surpassed later in the day, resulting in alarm stage three. This can cause flooding of inhabited areas. The alarm stage three has already been reached at the gauge in Schöna on the Elbe near the Czech border, where the water level was at 6.09 meters. The same alarm stage is also in effect at the Lausitzer Neiße near the Polish border, with water levels at 5.56 meters, just a few centimeters away from alarm stage four. A section of the federal road B99 has been closed in Görlitz for security reasons, a police spokesman said. The warning level for stage 3 is 4.80 meters at this location.
09:49 First Fatality in Czech Floods: Man Drowns in Krasovka
A confirmed fatality has taken place in the floods in the Czech Republic. Authorities also report at least seven missing persons. A man drowned in the small river Krasovka in the district of Bruntál in the eastern part of Moravia-Silesia, according to police president Martin Vondrasek, on public radio. Three people have gone missing after driving a car into a raging river near Jeseník in the Hrubý Jeseník mountains. The car has not been found. The remaining missing individuals fell into various waterways such as the Otava River. A man from a retirement home on the border with Poland is also missing. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala described the situation as a "century flood" - a flood that statistically occurs once in a century in the same place. Previous flood-related fatalities have been reported from other EU countries (see entry 06:40): A firefighter died in Austria, a man in Poland, and six people in Romania.
09:17 Woman Falls into Neiße in GoerlitzA woman fell into the Neiße while inspecting the water level in Goerlitz. According to initial police reports, the woman slipped at the water's edge near the Parkhotel Merkur and fell into the river. She managed to float about 700 meters downstream before pulling herself out just before the Vierradmühle weir. She is currently receiving hospital treatment for hypothermia.
09:00 German THW Prepares for Large-scale Operations on Elbe and OderThe Technical Relief Agency (THW) is preparing for potential flooding in eastern Germany. "We're prepared to deploy larger forces to the Elbe and Oder if necessary," says THW department head Fritz-Helge Voss in the ZDF "Morning Magazine". Voss advises residents in affected areas to stock up on essential supplies. Voss acknowledges that Germany has been fortunate so far, but the rivers Elbe, Neiße, and Oder are anticipated to flood this week. Over the weekend, the THW had approximately 140 personnel deployed in Bavaria and Saxony, including work at the collapsed Carolabridge in Dresden. Voss points out that this is the fourth major flood situation in Germany this year, and it's essential to be prepared and invest in equipment. "Ultimately, these are climate adaptation costs," says Voss.
08:43 Polish Government Discusses Disaster State Following the heavy flooding in southwestern Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called for an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday morning. He's drafted a declaration of a disaster state, but the council's approval is necessary. Continuous rainfall in southwestern Poland, close to the Czech border, resulted in the flooding. The town of Nysa in the Opole region was significantly affected overnight. Reports indicate that hospital's emergency room in Nysa was infiltrated by water from the Glatzer Neiße, a tributary of the Oder. As a consequence, a total of 33 patients, including children and pregnant women, were evacuated using boats.
08:15 Bavaria: More Rain and Rising Water Levels Predicted The flood situation in Bavaria remains precarious in certain areas, with more rainfall anticipated. The situation in the affected localities hasn't significantly improved overnight, according to the police. The Hochwasser-Nachrichtendienst (HND) projects a rise in water levels due to the rainy start of the week. The HND foresees a rise in water levels on the Danube at Passau, the Vils at Vilshofen, and the Isar at Munich. The situation is expected to gradually enhance from Wednesday, based on the German Weather Service (DWD) estimates. For the next two days, the DWD anticipates continuous rainfall from the Alps to the foothills, with rainfall totals of 40 to 70 liters per square meter possible, and up to 90 liters in stagnant areas.
07:32 Czech Republic: No Relief in Sight – Flood Levels Persist The Czech Republic still doesn't seem to see a break from the flood and inundation areas. The flood wave on the March (Morava) river has reached Litovel, approximately 200 kilometers east of Prague. Entire streets there are submerged, as reported by the CTK news agency. The town's authorities, with a population of nearly 10,000, urge the people not to hinder the emergency services. "In the next few hours, we expect a further increase in the river's water level," the mayor warns on social media.
07:03 Dam Break: Destructive Floods in Poland Recorded After a dam burst in Poland, locals fear as the destructive floods move towards the Glatzer Neiße region. Footage captured the raw power of the roaring waters.
06:40 Floods in Europe: Deaths in Poland and Romania Poland and the Czech Republic are struggling with the aftermath of a century-old flood, while the situation in Lower Austria is critical after heavy rainfall. Various fatalities have been reported due to flooding: a firefighter in Austria, an individual in Poland, and six deaths in Romania.
06:12 Evacuations in Czech Republic Due to Flooding Amid the worst floods in years, floodwaters overran entire cities like Jeseník in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains and Krnov on the border with Poland. Emergency services in Jeseník rescued hundreds of people using boats and helicopters. Post-flood, landslides posed a threat in numerous locations.
05:49 Cruise Passengers Stranded in Vienna Due to Floods Due to high water levels on the Danube resulting from heavy rain, passengers aboard a Swiss river cruise ship are stuck in Vienna. About 100 passengers and 40 crew members are currently unable to leave the "Thurgau Prestige," which is moored at the shore. The gangway to the pier is submerged, and passengers cannot embark. Other cruise ships are also reportedly trapped in Vienna. According to Thurgau Travel, local authorities will decide when the passengers can disembark. Passengers have been informed that they'll have to stay on the ship until at least Tuesday. The "Thurgau Prestige" was scheduled to sail from Linz to Budapest and back, but is now stuck in Vienna.
The storm "Anett," internationally known as "Boris," has triggered biblical rainfall and flooding in Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Romania. At least eight lives have been lost.
The German government has expressed sympathy and condolences to those affected by the flooding in Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania, including the victims from Poland. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has postponed his international engagements due to the flooding in his country.
