Severe weather conditions are expected, as a storm approaches. - Unrelenting rainfall causes widespread flooding in southern Germany.
Destruction, water-swamped streets, helicopters saving lives from water pools: Southern Germany battles against heavy flooding.
The predicament might intensify because of the persistent rain. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) has announced the highest weather warning for various districts in Bavaria. Multiple rivers and streams have burst their banks. In numerous regions, disaster emergency has been proclaimed. Injuries or critical damage updates were absent until the afternoon. Fire departments are continuously working. The ADAC is also participating in rescue operations in the flooded areas of South Germany, as stated by them.
The situation was particularly alarming around Augsburg. Citizens in the town of Diedorf were urged by the corresponding district to abandon their homes due to two dam breaches. Preparations for an evacuation in the Diedorf district of Anhausen are underway, according to the Augsburg District Administration. "Leaving one's home is no longer enough." Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (both CSU) visited Diedorf (Augsburg district) to examine the circumstance. Söder praised the assistance and authorities present in Diedorf. Bavaria is problem-free, he stated in the presence of Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU).
Although no large-scale flooding was present until the afternoon, the situation was already threatening in certain areas. In Babenhausen south of Ulm, rescue squads extracted people from their homes by boats. In Fischach in the Swabian district of Augsburg, authorities rescued individuals trapped by floods with a helicopter. The occupants could not leave any other way, affirmed a spokesperson for the district administration.
Tensions regarding century floods
For several hours, heavy downpours have struck sections of southern Germany. As per the DWD, more than ten districts in Baden-Württemberg and predominantly in Bavaria have encountered persistent rain. The regions from Pfaffenhofen to Lake Constance have been affected by the heavy rain.
Growing anxiety surrounds century floods. This term denotes a flood frequency of once every hundred years. Many storm warnings are first valid until Sunday, while some continue until Monday.
According to meteorologists, 135 liters per square meter fell in Sigmarszell-Zeisertsweiler, Bavaria, within 24 hours. In Kißlegg, Baden-Württemberg, it was 130 liters. In numerous cities in the two states, rainfall amounts surpassing 100 liters per square meter over 24 hours were noted.
Flooding in Baden-Württemberg
Additionally, parts of Baden-Württemberg are vulnerable to flooding. Threatened regions were found in Upper Swabia. Rivers have overflowed. Nonetheless, the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm are protected from an extreme flood.
However, the Danube will reach flood level 4, and the Iller will reach flood level 3, according to the two municipalities. Consequently, the cities might provide a cautious warning. A central sandbag storage facility has been ordered at the Friedrichshafen fairground on Lake Constance, a fire department representative stated. Around 10,000 sandbags were supposed to be transported in from an adjacent district.
Fire departments and other rescuers were dispatched frequently because of the weather. Detailed stats on this aren't readily available yet. There is still no comprehensive report on extensive damage. In South Germany, approximately 400 THW personnel have been enlisted so far. The forces were engaged in diverting water, fortifying dikes, and evacuating people preemptively. "In view of continuous and at times heavy rain, the THW has prepared to deploy additional forces specifically."
Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister Thekla Walker (Greens) remarked in her initial assessment: "Initially, it appears that the state government's investment of much money into dikes, rainwater retention ponds, and municipal stormwater concepts in the past years has been fruitful."
Warnings for severe rain and thunderstorms were also issued for Saxony and Thuringia on Saturday. Numerous events were terminated ahead of time. In the Thuringian capital, the German Catholic Day will continue until Sunday. In Brandenburg, significant rainfall was also predicted.
The city of Plauen in Saxony is also preparing for poor weather and flooding. Since five o'clock in the morning, dike and bridge guards have monitored the White Elster river, said the head of the Plauen professional fire department, René Schreiter. So far, 10,000 sandbags have been filled, and 3,000 have been scattered.
Authorities in various regions of Germany urged the public to be cautious due to the weather. The Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture, and Geology asked individuals to prioritize their safety amid flooding and floodwater. This entails: steering clear of moving waters, avoiding basements and garages in the event of water infiltration, and not crossing flooded areas on foot or by car.
There were obstacles in the train system due to the rain. The German Railways revealed some disruptions and cancellations in South Germany, as shared by a spokesperson. Two main ICE train routes were specially affected. The route connecting Munich, Bregenz, and Zurich was closed due to high waters, as per the spokesperson. The line between Ulm and Augsburg was also hit.
In addition, road trips were facing restrictions. Approximately ten kilometers of the A3 motorway in Bavaria's Regensburg region were shut down due to flooding between the exits of Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions. As per a spokesperson from the Oberpfalz police headquarters, the water from the fields was pushing against the motorway. The motorway cleaning crew, fire department, and police were present at the site. Traffic was to be diverted, said another spokesperson.
Danger warnings issued in other parts of Germany
The German Meteorological Service (DWD) issued warnings for parts of Brandenburg about the potential for extreme thunderstorms. The highest caution level existed until the evening for the regions of Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree, according to DWD. Lightning strikes, uprooted trees or power lines, falling objects, rapid flooding of roads, landslides, or hail could occur.
In eastern Thuringia, heavy rains and thunderstorms resulted in hefty firefighting interventions. This was reported by the control center in Gera. The Ronneburg region in the Greiz district was majorly impacted. People dealt with submerged roads, fields, and water-logged basements. In the Liebschwitz neighborhood of Gera, a tiny river overflowed. The MDR previously discussed this.
