Ulm's THW team fills 30,000 sandbags at 03:13.

Ulm THW fills 30,000 sandbags at 03:13.

In the night, personnel from the Technical Relief Organization in Ulm dedicated their time to filling sandbags for areas submerged or threatened by floods in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Bernd Urban, director of THW Logistics Center, said that they were able to fill 400 sandbags every hour and had a goal of delivering 30,000 to various regions in the southwest and the neighboring federal state. Persistent rain has led to a significant rise in water levels at several locations.

The Red Cross in Bavaria is sending a water rescue team from Unterfranken to aid in the relief efforts. The team is expected to be stationed in the heavily affected district of Günzburg as announced in the evening, where several flood-prone bodies of water have reached an unrivaled level last seen a century ago. The teams are specially trained for flood rescue and dispose of two boat and diving squads.

Due to a landslide, two ICE wagons, carrying 185 passengers, derailed in the Baden-Württemberg town of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Despite the incident, passengers were left unscathed and are being evacuated to a nearby kindergarten to await transportation to Plüderhausen by bus. The landslide was roughly 30 meters wide.

A car was unfortunately struck by a landslide in the town of Schwäbisch Gmünd, located around 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart. The driver remained uninjured in the ordeal. It occurred at a site where the local county road and railway ran parallel.

Neu-Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, avoided the threat of a 100-year flood as the peak flood wave on the Danube and Iller passed. Mayor Katrin Albsteiger assessed the situation, noting that damage evaluation would be conducted once normalcy returns. Closures were ordered for two streets, the Danube embankments, and cycle paths along the rivers.

The Munich Fire Department is cautioning citizens of danger due to high waters along the Isar River bank. The city administration has closed two popular walking paths along the river. Flood stage 2 has been reached in the state capital, indicating flooding on unbuilt areas or road closures due to the water.

In Schrobenhausen, Upper Bavaria, firefighters and rescue teams are getting ready to evacuate 670 people, including neighborhoods around Mühldorf and a street by the Weilach River, where heavy equipment and watercraft are being used. A hotline is also set up by the municipality for emergencies. The disaster is most concerning for the southern part of the Upper Bavarian district, according to District Administrator Peter von der Grün.

A large number of emergency interventions are occurring in several areas of Eastern Thuringia due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. Reports of flooded roads, fields, and cellars have come in from the control center in Gera, and a small stream has also overflowed in the Gera district.

59 second threat: Landslide hits car in the area of Schwäbisch Gmünd: The driver escaped unscathed.

14 minute threat: Neu-Ulm celebrates having overcome high water mark: Though significant levels were reached, the feared 100-year flood was avoided.

44 minute news: The Munich Fire Department issues a warning on the Isar River bank because of flooding. Two famous walking paths along the river have been closed.

23 minute updates: In Upper Bavaria, 670 people are planned for evacuation in Schrobenhausen.

23 minute updates (2): Multiple fire brigade interventions are going on in Eastern Thuringia due to heavy rain and thunderstorms causing flooding. Threats to roads, fields, and cellars are occurring. In the Gera district, a small river has broken its banks.

22 minute news: Durable rainfall is continuing in the south. No warning, however, has been issued yet.

German Weather Service (DWD) states that the heavy rain in southern Germany is starting to lessen. A DWD meteorologist notes that there won't be such intense rainfall as last night. "Tonight, we won't see the substantial rainfall we had last night," says the meteorologist. However, approaching showers and thunderstorms from the north could lead to more flood risks on Sunday afternoon. These storms may be very strong and will gradually diminish. "If they fall on the already soaked ground, then there will be more flooding," mentions the meteorologist. The regions most likely to be impacted by this Sunday's showers and thunderstorms are the Swabian Alb, some areas in the north, and districts around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.

21:45 Disaster in Freising

Freising district has declared a disaster due to overflowing rivers and streams. The affected rivers include the Amper and Glonn. The district administration in Upper Bavaria informed that Hohenkammer town and other regions along the Amper are at risk of major flooding. They recommend locals to get prepared for an extreme situation by making necessary preparations such as emptying their cellars.

10 districts have now declared disasters.

20:40 Dillingen Disaster

Dillingen district in Bavaria has also declared a disaster due to steady rainfall. The Zusam, a tributary near the Danube, has worsened its condition in the evening. The local crisis team has pleaded for Bundeswehr assistance. Experts predict a 100-year flood on the Zusam, which could impact the nearby towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen.

20:11 Eighth District in Disaster: Neuburg-Schrobenhausen

The Dillingen district in Bavaria has now declared a disaster too. The situation worsened with the Danube and its tributaries swelling. The Water Management Office Ingolstadt forecasts a level 4 at the Neuburg gauge for the night. The situation at the Paar (a Danube tributary) and the Weilach (a river flowing into the Paar) is more precarious. In Mühldorf district of Schrobenhausen, the Weilach has already flowed over its banks and inundated a residential area. Authorities are preparing to relocate residents while officials emphasized the importance of safeguarding roads, bridges, and paths as a top priority.

19:50 Helicopter Rescue Operation

The Bavarian Red Cross had to help two people from the rooftop of their house in Babenhausen through a helicopter. The house in Unterallgäu district faced the risk of collapsing from the large water accumulations. Rescue teams used inflatable boats to ensure the safety of more than 100 people, including several children.

19:13 Evacuation of Augsburg District

Augsburg district rescue teams had to free people trapped in their cars due to the water masses. The situation could rapidly become perilous because of the rising water inside the cars. Several municipalities in the Augsburg district have now asked people to leave their homes and apartments due to the impending flooding in the northern areas. The Spokeswoman for the Augsburg district administration revealed that Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire Northendorf are affected. A temporary shelter has been set up at Augsburg's fairgrounds.

19:00 Bundeswehr to the Rescue

The Bundeswehr is lending a hand in the flood-stricken regions of Bavaria. They have responded to the request from the two affected districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, says a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Bundeswehr command to Antenne Bayern. "The Bundeswehr is aiding the two districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg after they submitted an official petition." "In Günzburg, blankets and field beds are given out. Around 50 female and male Bundeswehr soldiers are expected in the Aichach-Friedberg district shortly. Additionally, two Bundeswehr trucks are in use," she added.

18:26 Major Disaster: Flooding reaches towns and villages

In Bavaria, the flood situation is escalating, with the upper Danube and its tributaries bursting their banks. Trapped people had to be rescued, and a housing complex collapsed in Harburg.

Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser vows to provide more aid to the flood-stricken regions in the south. As heavy rain continues to pour and bring potential flooding, the THW, or Technical Relief Organization, is getting ready to deploy extra helpers. Faeser, a member of the SPD party, confirms that the government will keep offering assistance to the affected federal states. There are currently 520 THW personnel on standby, who've been saving lives, securing dikes, and pumping water. Showing her appreciation for these helpers, Faeser remarks, "I'd like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who's working tirelessly to save lives as they battle the water masses."

Flood victims in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg need to heed warnings and instructions from authorities, she adds. "Please take these warnings seriously!"

18:24 Rescue at the Zugspitze: 29 climbers saved

Around 15:15 p.m., 29 climbers stranded at the Zugspitze were saved. The mountain rescue team transported them to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at Zugspitzplatt. These climbers were part of several groups who struggled to continue due to the weather and new snow at around 2,500 meters above sea level, some 900 meters away from Sonnalpin. The Zugspitzbahn company's staff and their snow groomers were also deployed to find the climbers.

17:38 Brandenburg braces for storms

Germany's weather service (DWD) has issued a strong warning for Brandenburg, highlighting the dangers of severe thunderstorms. There's a high chance of lightning strikes, falling trees or power lines, falling objects, rapid road flooding, landslides, or hailstones in the districts of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree. The threat applies until evening.

16:54 Road closures on A3 motorway

The A3 motorway in Bavaria is partially shut down for about ten kilometers between the junctions of Parsberg and Beratzhausen, with vehicles going in both directions. The motorway's surface is flooded, reports the police headquarters in Upper Palatinate. "The water is rushing from the fields onto the motorway," says a spokesperson. Motorway maintenance, fire department, and police are on site. Traffic is being diverted, states a spokesperson.

16:31 Evacuation of the prison in Memmingen begins

The Memmingen prison, Bavaria, is being evacuated due to the flood risk. The 150 inmates there will be temporarily transported to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The Memminger Ach, which flows directly past the prison, has turned into a raging river that threatens to flood the area, potentially causing a power outage. This prompted the prison's management to make the decision to evacuate. Emergency vehicles are on the scene to execute the plan. First, the evacuation had to be done over flooded streets, as the path was already inundated. The fire department was also using pumps to drain water from the prison.

16:09 Water levels in various gauges reach level 4

The heavy rain is causing water levels to reach stage 4 in various gauges across Swabia. The Danube River, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, and Regen in Cham are swelling. In Dasing, the Paar River gauge indicates a 100-year flood.

According to the High Water Information Service (HND), the Pegel Wiblingen (Iller) is set to reach level 3 on Saturday to Sunday. The water levels will keep rising in the upper Iller region, but the situation is improving in the northern Donau catchment area.

In the Donau tributaries of Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmühl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, some gauges see Meldestufe 1 and 2 overflows with increasing frequency. Levels 3 and 4 are predicted in the area between Neu-Ulm and Kelheim, with the Pegel Kelheim following at night. In the stretch from Neu-Ulm to Passau, Meldestufen 1 and 2 increases are expected.

16:00 Airport operations in Munich remain untouched

Despite the heavy rain, Munich Airport is managing its operations as usual.

Even though there's heavy rain in numerous parts of Bavaria, flight operations at Munich Airport are going on as usual. Not a single flight has been called off. There are numerous factors accounting for this smooth functioning. As Robert Wilhelm, the spokesperson of the airport, told Bayerischer Rundfunk, "We see water standing in the meadows next to the runways." The airport is constructed a bit higher than its surroundings. Besides, the runway's sides are slanted towards the center, promoting water flow. Moreover, the runways are grooved, which helps in draining water quickly. Thus, the risk of aquaplaning is negligible, assured Wilhelm to the Bavarian broadcaster. The airport does not anticipate any major issues for the rest of the weekend.

17:07 Soder: "Things are really heating up"

The Bavarian Minister President, Markus Soder, personally inspects the damage done in the heavily impacted Swabia region. He expressed his gratitude to the helpers and officials during his visit to Diedorf in Augsburg. Bavaria can handle any crisis, according to Soder, with Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann present. He described the locals' plight as an "extreme burden." And he stressed, "This is not over yet. Things are really heating up." Currently, the storm's focus is in Swabia, so resources like sandbags are being directed there. "We couldn't have done it without the helpers," addressed Soder towards the rescue services, including the fire department, Red Cross, police, and Technical Relief Organization. They've all displayed remarkable dedication. In a plea to citizens, Soder advised following the instructions. All evacuation orders should be adhered to, and one mustn't go back into the cellar or attempt driving their car out of the garage.

16:35 No trains operating anymore

The severe weather in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria is influencing train operations too. Deutsche Bahn reports disruptions and train cancellations in southern Germany. Two ICE lines are particularly affected, as their spokesperson confirms. There won't be any trains between Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich all day on Saturday because of the flood. The line between Ulm and Augsburg is also impacted. The Bahn is sharing further information about track closures, cancellations, and delays on their website.

16:12 Disaster situation in Unterallgäu - Those needing help should show a white cloth

Now, Unterallgäu district, Bavaria, is facing a disaster situation. In Babenhausen, part of the mobile network ceased operating. Individuals who require assistance and can't make an emergency call should display a white sheet or cloth out of their window or - if feasible - make themselves conspicuous at the window to demand aid, the district administration advises. In Babenhausen, people are already rescued from their homes using inflatable boats.

15:57 400 THW staff on duty in South Germany

As a consequence of the storms in South Germany, about 400 THW personal are currently busy. The THW in Bonn shares this info. They're removing water, protecting dams, and evacuating people preemptively. "Because of the ongoing, occasionally heavy, uninterrupted rain, the THW is prepared to deploy additional THW forces," they added. In the affected regions, portable flood gauges are being set up and kept under monitoring. "As storms and impending floods are imminent in the subsequent hours, THW is ready to deploy more THW forces." Each rescue group consists of around 40 THW first responders who operate 3 sewage pumps, a power generator, an exploration vehicle, and a command center. These groups can pump up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.

15:37 Combined flood warnings on one map

This interactive map shows all the current flood alerts. It's frequently updated.

15:15 Report: 26-climber team is stranded beneath the Zugspitze

A 26-member mountain climbing group is apparently stuck several hundreds of meters below the summit of the Zugspitze. Per BR, 60 cm of snow fell on its summit in the past few hours, while it's raining continuously in the valley. The air temperature is below freezing, and visibility is around 100 meters. Numerous rescue teams are searching for the climbers in the snowstorm, as per the BR report, referencing Bergwacht Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The group is fatigued and likely lacks appropriate equipment. It remains mysterious why they chose to climb the Zugspitze despite the harsh weather prediction.

14:52 Donau-Ries District declares calamity

The Donau-Ries District in Bavaria has proclaimed a calamity. This decision is aimed at "gathering all resources and prepare ourselves more efficiently for anticipated water levels," explains Administrator Stefan Roessle in his statement. "It's important to maintain composure and, if possible, avoid low-lying areas."

In the Swabian region of Augsburg, a dam and a dike have collapsed. The district office has made this known. People living in specific roads in the village of Diedorf need to abandon their homes. Schutting up to the Anhauser section of Diedorf is the next step in the evacuation strategy. It's no longer adequate to simply move to higher floors, says the district office. Burgwalden has seen a dam fail and a dike in the Anhauser Weiher has surrendered. Indivuals who reside in afflicted zones are advised to leave their homes immediately within the following hour and converge at the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Authorities are also warning everybody to keep away from railway underpasses. Portions of the floodwaters could flow there, and this may result in danger to life.

Minister President Söder and Herrmann Set Off for Flood-Struck Area

Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann are heading to the flooded vicinity in the Swabian region of Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU leaders want to get a first-hand grasp of the state of affairs in Diedorf, according to a declaration from the Interior Ministry. District Administrator Martin Sailer is also tagging along. The destination for the visit was changed abruptly due to the circumstances. Earlier, the political figures planned to visit the flooded Fischach. In Diedorf, the evacuation of residents is currently being planned. The circumstance is particularly precarious in the Swabian area as a result of the heavy rainfall. Since the Günzburg district, the districts of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have declared a disaster.

Meckenbeuren's Flood Situation Intensifies

The flooding of the Schussen River in Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis is intensifying. The level peaked at 4.72 meters in the afternoon, disclosed a municipality spokesperson. It is expected that the crest will be reached shortly. During the preceding flood in 2021, the river reached 4.50 meters. Normally, it only carries 45 centimeters of water. On Friday evening, the municipality cautioned around 1300 individuals, precautionarily, to leave their abodes. Most of them have gone to stay with relatives or friends. A minuscule number of people utilized temporary shelters. To avert possible damage from flooding, schools, kindergartens, and halls were cleared out in advance. In the municipality with 14,000 inhabitants, bridges were also closed precautionarily.