Waves of water gush through Anhausen following the dam's explosion.
In the town of Anhausen, the flood situation is starting to stabilize following the bursting of a dam around five kilometers away, which instantly flooded the area. "Individuals who had been evacuated from here are gradually returning," shares ntv-reporter Niklas Diemer. Nevertheless, in other locations, the water levels remain critical.
9:08 THW Sends Additional Forces for Flood Relief in Southern GermanyThe Technical Relief Organization (THW) is increasing their presence in communities affected by the floods across Southern Germany. As per a THW spokeswoman, more than 1800 people are currently assisting in these efforts. The helpers are securing dams, aiding with sandbag distribution, and supporting the evacuation of residents from flooded areas. Simultaneously, the fire department and other emergency services are also taking action.
8:47 Landslide in Baden-Württemberg Hampers Train and Car TravelThe flood crisis is continuing to worry people in parts of Germany, with the southern region being heavily impacted by the deluge. In the eastern section of Baden-Württemberg, there's even a threat of a century-old flood. The rescuers and aid teams are reaching their limits.
8:30 ICE Recovery from a Landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd To Start Tomorrow MorningAn ICE train was affected by a landslide in Baden-Württemberg's Schwäbisch Gmünd region on Saturday evening. The rescue teams plan to recover the train in the morning. The regional train cannot pass the track, states a spokeswoman. A rescue locomotive will also be at the scene to aid in the recovery. At present, it's unclear how long the disruption will last. In the meantime, the regional train has managed to pass the ICE.
8:16 A Person is Missing in SchrobenhausenA person has gone missing in Schrobenhausen after becoming trapped in the basement of a house during the flood. A spokesperson from the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen District Office states that the cellar and part of the upper floor are now submerged in water. However, rescue teams are currently unable to reach the building.
7:44 A Firefighter has Drowned in Pfaffenhofen an der IlmIn Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Upper Bavaria, a firefighter died while attempting to rescue people. He and three colleagues had capsized in a rescue boat and was found dead in the morning, reported a spokesperson for the district office.
7:29 Floods Moving Downstream - Meldestufe 4 in More Places in BavariaIn Bavaria, water levels are still critical at numerous pegs at Meldestufe 4. The focus remains on the southern Danube tributaries like Gunz, Mindel, Zusam, Schmutter, Paar, Abens, Ilm, and Amper, as well as the upper Danube. The highest levels were achieved during the night. As the flood wave moves downstream, from Swabia to Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate, communities such as Neuburg, Kelheim, Regensburg, and Straubing might be affected. However, the peak wave is expected to reach these areas only at the beginning of the week.
6:54 DWD Forecast Predicts More Heavy Rain in the SouthThe German Meteorological Service (DWD) anticipates the risk of additional thunderstorms with heavy rain in several parts of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg on Sunday. As per the DWD forecast from the morning, thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected from noon to Monday night. Roads and basements could be submerged once more. Local damage from lightning strikes is also possible, it added.
5:39 Evacuations Are being Intensified in the Augsburg DistrictIn the Augsburg district's flooded areas, authorities are ramping up evacuation orders. The district departments of Kühlenthal and Allmannshofen are advising inhabitants to leave instantly, warned the Integrated Control Center early in the morning. Buses are being coordinated for people who aren't able to leave the regions. Additional evacuation notices were issued in other areas last night and early in the morning. The communities along the Schmutter River, tributaries of the Danube, are primarily affected.
5:05 Wiesbaden Enforces Measures for Rising Water Levels on the Rhine and MainAuthorities in Wiesbaden are implementing measures against rising water levels on the Rhine and Main. A flood defense wall has been built in the district of Kostheim, stated the fire department in the early morning. Additionally, a pump has been installed in the Rhine-facing district of Schierstein. To avoid parking lots close to the river, the fire department also recommends avoiding them over the subsequent days. At this time, no further measures are expected to be implemented.
4:04 Train traffic from Stuttgart to Munich halted
A landslide blocked the bypass between Aalen and Stuttgart, leading to the suspension of long-distance train traffic between Stuttgart and Munich. The duration of the disruption remains unclear, as a railway spokesperson mentioned. This comes after train traffic between Ulm and Augsburg had been stopped due to the flooding in southern Germany. Long-distance trains had to be redirected as a result.
3:13 THW fills sandbags in Ulm for flooded areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria
Technical Relief Organization forces in Ulm filled sandbags to help flood-stricken areas in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria overnight. According to Bernd Urban, head of the THW logistics center, 30,000 sandbags were planned to be delivered Sunday morning. An average of 400 sandbags were being filled per hour. The sandbags were requested from numerous emergency zones in southwestern Germany and neighboring regions. Persistent rain has caused increased water levels in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria at multiple locations.
2:25 Red Cross sends water rescuers from Unterfranken to Günzburg
Flood-stricken Günzburg will receive assistance from a water rescue team from Unterfranken, as announced by the Bavarian Red Cross. The water rescue team consists of two boat and diving crews skilled in flood relief operations. Several bodies of water in the Swabian district of Günzburg have reached levels matching a century-old flood, indicating a flood that occurs once every 100 years on average.
1:27 Two ICE train wagons derail in Schwäbisch Gmünd due to landslide
Two wagons of an ICE train with 185 passengers were derailed in Schwäbisch Gmünd due to a landslide. However, the passengers stayed unharmed and are being evacuated. The landslide measured around 30 meters in width. The train passengers will be accommodated in a nearby kindergarten and then transported to Plüderhausen by bus.
12:59 Car hit by landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd
A car was struck by a landslide in Schwäbisch Gmünd. According to initial reports, the driver of the car remained unscathed. The landslide occurred near the intersection of the affected county road and the railway. Schwäbisch Gmünd is located around 50 kilometers east of Stuttgart.
12:14 Schwäbisch Gmünd: High water levels exceed in Neu-Ulm, Damage still unknown
The city of Neu-Ulm has surpassed predicted high water levels on the Danube and Iller rivers, as announced by the city administration. Despite significantly high water levels, a 100-year flood has not yet occurred. "We will assess the extent of the damage once the situation normalizes," said Mayor Katrin Albsteiger in the evening. Two streets, the Donau promenades, and cycle paths along the Danube and Iller will continue to be closed for a while.
22:44 Munich's Isar River: Warnings issued due to high water levels
The Munich Fire Department has issued warnings about the danger at the Isar River's shore due to raised water levels. Additionally, two popular hiking trails along the Isar have been closed. The Isar River has reached Meldestufe 2 in Munich, meaning flood succession occurring on non-built-up areas or minor disturbances on roads.
22:23 Upper Bavaria: 670 people prepared for evacuation in Schrobenhausen
Fire and rescue services are prepping to evacuate 670 people in the Upper Bavarian town of Schrobenhausen. In Mühlried and along the Weilach River, tractors and boats are currently in use. The district administration in Neuburg-Schrobenhausen has also established a citizen's hotline for emergencies. In addition to the state of emergency already declared, the situation is most concerning in the southern portion of the Upper Bavarian district, according to District Administrator Peter von der Grün.
22:03 Prolonged rainfall results in many fire department interventions in Eastern Thuringia
Heavy rain and thunderstorms triggered numerous fire department interventions in Eastern Thuringia. The Gera control center disclosed this information. The area around Ronneburg in the Greiz district was particularly impacted, as was evident by flooded roads, fields, and cellars overflowing. In Geisplatingen, a small stream reached its capacity.
In specific places endangered by or at risk of flooding in the south of Germany, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) broadcasts some relief from rainfall. A DWD meteorologist explains, "We won't have the massive rainfall amounts like last night anymore." Nonetheless, clouds and thunderstorms are incoming from the north, which could potentially result in localized flooding on Sunday afternoon. These clouds could be rather forceful and fade gradually. "If they hit the overly saturated ground, then there will be flooding again," says the meteorologist. The locations most in danger of these clouds and thunderstorms on Sunday are the Swabian Alb and regions slightly further north, as well as the areas encircling Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Regensburg.
10:25 Disaster mode activated in Freising
The Freising district has also entered a state of emergency due to overflowing rivers and waterways. The district office shared this news in the evening. The Amper and Glonn rivers are anticipated to meet record-breaking water levels. The district office anticipates significant flooding in the town of Hohenkammer and all nearby communities along the Amper. Homeowners are urged to prepare for this severe scenario and empty their cellars, for example. Now, ten Bavarian regions have declared emergencies.
10:10 District of Dillingen joins the emergency bandwagon
Due to the ongoing rainfall, the Dillingen district administration in southern Bavaria has now also entered an emergency state. District officials made this announcement in the evening. The situation at the Zusam, a Danube tributary, has worsened, as the administration notes. The local crisis staff has inquired about assistance from the Bundeswehr. Experts assume a 100-year flood on this minor river, which would primarily impact the nearby towns of Buttenwiesen and Wertingen. The authorities are also planning to let water from the bloated Danube into the Riedstrom, the Danube's previous floodplain. The district office urges local farmers to move their livestock into secure barns.
18:25 The eighth district in Bavaria imposes emergency measures
The district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen joins the list of Bavarian regions under emergency measures. The cause: the swollen Danube and its tributaries. The Water Management Office in Ingolstadt foresees level 4 at the Neuburg gauge during the night. The scenario is more intense at the Paar, a Danube tributary, and the Weilach, which streams into the Paar. In the Schrobenhausen district of Mühldorf, the Weilach has surpassed its banks and flooded a residential section, according to the district administration. First responders are waiting to rescue inhabitants there, as district head Peter von der Grün explains. The situation is dire, especially in the southern part of the district. Von der Grün underscores that keeping roads, bridges, and streets secure is a top priority. "Only then can the fire department continue to conduct operations."
20:35 Red Cross swoops in and saves lives via helicopter
The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) airlifted two people from the roof of their home in Babenhausen using a helicopter. A BRK spokesperson conveys that these individuals were in a deadly scenario, as their residence was at risk of collapse owing to the massive water volumes. Other individuals were extracted from their homes by inflatable boats. First responders saved over a hundred people - including numerous children.
19:48 Folks near Augsburg are urged to exit their dwellings
Water rescuers also freed people from their automobiles, who couldn't unlock their doors owing to the high water levels. According to a spokeperson, this situation could rapidly turn fatal as a result of the powerful current and the rising water in the car.
People in several Augsburg district municipalities are asked to abandon their homes and residences due to acute flooding. The situation is predicted to worsen during the night in the northern portion of the district, announces an Augsburg district administration spokeswoman. Areas affected include parts of Batzenhofen, Gablingen, Langweid, Eisenbrechtshofen, Biberbach, Allmannshofen, and the entire municipality of Nordendorf. The government of Swabia has established a temporary shelter at the Augsburg fairgrounds.
19:40 Bundeswehr rolls up its sleeves to aide in flooding-stricken regions
Bundeswehr soldiers are aiding in the struggle against the floods in Bavaria. "The Bundeswehr is supporting the two districts of Günzburg and Aichach-Friedberg, as both districts have expressed an official request," says a DWD spokeswoman to the radio station Antenne Bayern. "In the Günzburg area, blankets and mattresses are being distributed. In the Aichach-Friedberg district, approximately 50 female and male Bundeswehr soldiers are expected in the next few hours. Moreover, two Bundeswehr trucks are in use."
19:00 Faeser secures additional aid
Faeser secures further assistance.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser secures extra assistance for areas in southern Germany hit by heavy rains and potential floods. The THW, or Federal Agency for Technical Relief, is set to deploy more teams nationwide, the SPD politician mentions in Berlin. Faeser emphasizes that the government will support the affected states with all available resources. At present, around 520 male and female THW personnel are involved in the rescue efforts, having saved people, fortified dikes, and removed standing water. Additionally, she expressed gratitude to all volunteers who have aided in battling the water masses and safeguarding lives.
In Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, people living in flood-affected zones must take heed of warnings and directions from local authorities, according to Faeser. "Please take these cautions seriously!"
18:58 Zugspitze: 29 climbers rescued by mountain rescue serviceThe climbers facing distress at the Zugspitze (refer to Live Ticker item at 15:15 p.m.) have been retrieved. 29 climbers were accompanied by the mountain rescue service to the Gletscherrestaurant Sonnalpin at a height of 2,600 meters. Multiple rescue groups reported they were unable to continue further due to the weather and new snow approximately 900 meters before the Sonnalpin. The mountain rescue service arrived to search for the climbers, while Zugspitzbahn employees were also dispatched on snow groomers to assist.
18:42 Extreme thunderstorm alert for regions of BrandenburgThe German Weather Service (DWD) alerts to potential dangers from heavy thunderstorms in sections of Brandenburg. Safety alerts are in place until the evening for Dahme-Spreewald, Märkisch-Oderland, and Oder-Spree areas. Lightning strikes, uprooted trees, downed power lines, falling objects, sudden flooding of roads, landslides, and hail are possible threats.
18:11 A3 partially closed in Bavaria due to floodingThe A3 motorway in Bavaria near Regensburg is closed for about ten kilometers between the exits Parsberg and Beratzhausen in both directions. The road is partially flooded, states the Upper Palatinate police headquarters. "The water is pushing onto the motorway from the fields," a spokesperson says. Regensburg's traffic police, fire department, and police are present at the scene to handle the situation, while traffic will be redirected, according to a spokesperson.
(Translated from German)
17:51 Prison in Memmingen is evacuated due to flooding threat
Due to the potential for flooding, the prison in Memmingen, Bavaria is being evacuated. This is reported by the Nonstopnews news agency. Approximately 150 inmates will be temporarily relocated to Landsberg, Kempten, and Augsburg. The Memminger Ach, a small river running directly in front of the prison, has now transformed into a raging torrent and poses a threat to the prison, based on the report. Portions of the prison courtyard are already submerged, which could lead to a power outage. Therefore, prison management opted for the evacuation. The police arrived with numerous emergency vehicles to implement the evacuation. In the end, the evacuation had to be performed over flooded streets, as the access road was already flooded. The fire department was also present with pumps to remove water from the prison.
17:35 Intense rain causes water levels to rise to level 4 in Swabia
Persistent rain is causing water levels to rise to level 4 at several monitoring stations in Swabia. Rivers are expanding throughout Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate. The Neu-Ulm Bad Held (Danube), Hasberg (Mindel), Fleinhausen (Zusam), Fischach (Schmutter), as communicated by the HND, or flood warning service, have already surpassed level 4. The same is likely in Dasing (Paar). The Regen River in Cham, Upper Palatinate, is at risk of a hundred-year flood. The gauges in Nattenhausen (Günz) and Dasing (Paar) have also signaled hundred-year floods, as reported by the HND.
The Wiblingen (Iller) gauge is predicted to reach a level 3 peak between Saturday and Sunday, with water levels receding underneath level 3 below the lower Iller. In the northern Donau tributaries of Wörnitz, Sulzach, Altmuhl, Schwarze Laber, and Naab, there are individual gauges exhibiting level 1 and 2 overflows, while a rising trend is developing. From Neu-Ulm to Kelheim, water levels are anticipated to increase to level 3, with Kelheim to follow at night. Similar conditions are expected in the latter Donau section between Passau.
Despite persistent rain in various parts of Bavaria, Munich Airport remains operational without experiencing any flight cancelations. This is due to several factors, as airport spokesperson Robert Wilhelm explains to BR-Bavaria. The airport was constructed with elevated ground and has sunken runways that aid in draining excess water. Additionally, the runways are covered in grooves designed to speed up water runoff, dramatically reducing the risk of aquaplaning. The management at Munich Airport does not anticipate any significant setbacks over the impending weekend.
Söder, Bavaria's Minister President, visits Diedorf in Augsburg County to assess the damage caused by the storms. During his visit to the affected area, he shows appreciation for the efforts of firefighters, the Red Cross, the police, and the Technical Emergency Aid. He urges caution for the citizens and emphasizes the critical nature of the ongoing situation. Resources like sandbags are being assembled for Swabia, where the majority of the devastation has occurred. In his statement, he emphasizes the importance of the rescue services: "We can't do it without helpers."
Due to ongoing storms and flooding in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, Deutsche Bahn has suspended train services in South Germany. Two specific ICE routes are affected: neither Munich-Bregenz-Zurich nor the line between Ulm and Augsburg is currently offering train services. Individuals seeking detailed information on cancellations, delays, or alterations to their train routes can visit the railway company's official website.
The situation in Unterallgäu has become severe; therefore, the Bavarian district has declared a disaster situation. Part of the mobile network has been compromised in Babenhausen, forcing those without access to emergency services to display a white cloth from their windows to signal their need for assistance. Water rescue operations are actively underway in the town, employing inflatable boats to save residents from their homes.
The Technical Relief Organization (THW) in Bonn has mobilized around 400 units to address the crisis in South Germany. They are tasked with pumping water, fortifying dikes, and evacuating inhabitants before the floods potentially escalate further. "The THW is prepared to deploy more THW units," as they report, bearing in mind the recurring weather prognoses predicting additional flooding within the following hours. The organization has a team of three units stationed in the area, capable of pumping up to 30,000 liters of water per minute.
The above map showcases all current flood warnings. It is updated frequently to provide an overview of the latest flood alerts.
A 26-member mountain climbing group currently finds itself stranded several hundred meters below the Zugspitze's summit. Broadcaster BR reports that 60cm of fresh snow has coated the Zugspitze in the last few hours, and heavy rain falls in the valley. Temperatures drop below freezing, while the overall visibility stands at 100m. Rescue teams have been dispatched to locate the climbers in the blizzard, according to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Mountain Rescue Service, but their reasoning behind attempting to climb the mountain during such perilous weather conditions remains unclear.
In response to the disastrous conditions, the Donau-Ries District in Bavaria has declared a crisis situation. District Administrator Stefan Rössle rationale is that "by bringing all forces together, we can prepare for the expected water levels more swiftly and efficiently". Rössle also suggests that avoiding low-lying areas is ideal during this period. The district encourages the public to maintain calm and avoid exposed areas as much as possible.
A dike and a dam have fallen apart in the Augsburg district of Swabia. The district administration informs us of this. People in particular streets of Diedorf town must evacuate their houses. Preparations are underway for an evacuation in the Anhausen part of Diedorf. The district office in Augsburg reports, "It's not safe anymore to go to higher floors." In Burgwalden, a dam has fractured and a dike near Anhauser Weiher has caved in. Those living in the affected regions are urged to evacuate their homes immediately and independently within the next hour and head towards the Diedorf Schmuttertalhalle. Officials also warn people to steer clear of railway underpasses, as floods might surge there. Life is at stake.
Söder and Herrmann make their way to the flooded region
Bavarian President Markus Söder and Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann are on their way to the flood zone in the Swabian district of Augsburg on Saturday. The two CSU politicians desire to observe the flood circumstance in Diedorf for themselves, as the Interior Ministry revealed. District Administrator Martin Sailer is accompanying them. The visiting destination was changed at the last minute due to the dire situation. Initially, the politicians had intended to pay a visit to the inundated Fischach. In Diedorf, the residents are currently being transported to safety. The flood conditions are highly critical in the Swabian region. The regions of Augsburg and Aichach-Friedberg have recently declared a state of emergency, following the devastation in Günzburg.
The tension in Meckenbeuren's flood situation is surging. The water level of the Schussen river in Meckenbeuren in the Bodenseekreis has risen even more. The level reached 4.72 meters in the afternoon, announced a municipal spokesperson. It is hoped that the height will peak soon. During the last flood in 2021, the river rose to 4.50 meters. Normally, it only has 45 cm of water. On Friday night, the community advised around 1300 people to vacate their homes as a precaution. Most of them have preferred to stay with friends or relatives. Only a really small group sought refuge in a shelter. To prevent potential damage from flooding, schools, kindergartens, and halls were cleared out beforehand. In the town of 14,000 people, bridges were also shut down as a safety protocol.
