Unsettling weather: Storm strikes the area. - Unceasing rainfall has prompted the South to brace for potential flooding.
Southern Germany is being hit with heavy, nonstop rainfall. Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are especially hard-hit, leading to rising water levels in certain rivers and the declaration of a state of emergency in Günzburg, Bavaria. This emergency was put in place to better support those affected as several district emergency services are needed. Camping and recreational areas along the rivers Günz, Kammel, and Mindel were advised to be evacuated that evening. "We take the situation very seriously," stated District Administrator Hans Reichhart (CSU).
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has issued several warnings across southern Germany, with fire departments pleading for precaution and readiness for potential interventions. Heavy rain is expected in Bavaria until Sunday, particularly in Swabia and Upper Bavaria. The DWD has issued severe weather warnings, warning of "extremely heavy continuous rain" at level 4 out of 4. Continued flooding and high water levels have sparked fears for safety.
Baden-Württemberg has also been issued the highest warning level. "It's like a month's worth of rain falling in two days," noted a DWD meteorologist. "It's comparable to the rainfall that recently occurred in the Saarland." Precisely how these quantities of rain might impact regions remains unclear, as it depends on the river's capacity, the presence of flood meadows, and preventative measures taken. The regions of Oberschwaben and Ostalb are the most affected, with 60 to 100 liters of rainfall expected per square meter in Ravensburg, and potentially up to 150 liters per square meter in southern Oberschwaben and Ostalb.
Severe thunderstorms are also predicted for eastern Saxony-Anhalt. Robert Scholz from the German Weather Service (DWD) announced a warning for severe thunderstorms that would start around Saturday afternoon, affecting areas such as southern Saxony-Anhalt and eastern Thuringia up to Leipzig. Heavy rain is predicted to begin in the evening, particularly in the southern part of the country.
Concern in Thuringia surrounds the Catholic Day in Erfurt which ends on Sunday. "The weather and security situation was assessed together with the organizer," stated Thuringian Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD). Tents for the religious gathering were designed to withstand wind speed and rainfall. "Forces for an emergency response have been sensitized and partially put on standby." Concern was heightened but eventually dampened when it became clear that Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt would be suffering less from the storm than initially expected.
The focus of the storm remains in southern Germany. The weather service predicts the rain's arc will extend "between the Main and the Danube towards the Lake Constance region" throughout the day, including individual thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. Outside of the most impacted areas, there is still a risk of substantial rainfall - up to 40 to 70 liters per square meter in 24 hours until Sunday morning.
Experts caution that if rainfall reaches these levels, there is a risk of flooding due to water filling streets, underpasses, and buildings near waterways. Landslides could also be a potential danger. The German Fire Brigade Association's Vice President, Hermann Schreck, added that "flooded roads and paths pose risks - whether you're driving a car, walking, or on a motorcycle." Firefighters are frequently called to assist stranded vehicles in underpasses with water levels higher than initially anticipated.
