Dead, evacuated and homes lost: Central European countries hit by massive floods

Dead, evacuated and lost homes: Central European countries hit by powerful floods Vladislav Kravtsov

What is known about the floods in Central European countries/Collage by Channel 24 (photo by Getty Images and PAP)More interesting audio newsListen00:0001:171.25×1.25xAudio synthesized using AI.More Audio NewsTurn off

Heavy rains fell in Central European countries on the weekend of September 14 and 15, which caused flooding in rivers. The bad weather led to the evacuation of residents of the flooded regions.

As a result of the natural disaster, there are already casualties, and houses in some areas have been destroyed. What is known about the large-scale floods in Central Europe – read in the material 24 Kanal.

What are the consequences of floods in Poland

Heavy rains associated with Cyclone Boris have hit Poland since September 12. The intense downpours have caused water levels to rise rapidly in the region, with southwestern Poland in the most critical conditions. Authorities are particularly concerned about the Lower Silesian, Opole, Silesian and Lesser Poland Voivodeships, with Lower Silesian and Opole Voivodeships facing the most serious threats.

Flooding in Poland: Watch the Video

In the historic town of Głucholaz, located in southwestern Poland near the Czech Republic, rescuers deployed hundreds of sandbags along the riverbank to mitigate the effects of the flood. Residents of the neighboring town of Kłodzko are currently being evacuated.

In Głukholaz, water flows through the city streets/Video from the @BezpiecznikPL account on the social network X

In Głukholaz, it later became known that a bridge had collapsed. Overall, the situation in the city is catastrophic. Water flows like a river through the city streets. Earlier, the city's mayor Pawel Szymkowicz asked all residents to evacuate.

A bridge collapsed in Głucholaz/Video from the @jachcy account on the social network X

A dam on the Morawka River in the mountain town of Stronie Śląskie in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship was damaged by flooding, as a result of which the town was effectively under water.

The Ministry of National Defense reported that an Mi-17 helicopter was sent to assist with the evacuation in Stronie Śląskie.

Flooding situation in Strone Śląskie/Video from the @MeteoprognozaPL account on the social network X

Many residents are demanding evacuation from the roofs of their houses. In some places, the situation is such that you can only get there by helicopter.

Flooding in Poland/Photo by PAP and Polish media

In addition, it is known that in Poland one person died in the Kłodzko district, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the worst-hit area of ​​the country. There, the local river rose by more than 6 meters.

Subsequently, Donald Tusk ordered the declaration of a state of natural disaster in the country. It can be introduced in a certain part or in the entire territory of the country where it occurred or where its consequences may arise.

After consultations with the relevant ministers and services, I ordered the preparation of a resolution of the Council of Ministers on the introduction of a state of natural disaster, – announced Donald Tusk.

Lądek-Zdrój is currently recovering from the storm. Locals are shovelling mud out of their apartments. The streets are littered with dirt and gravel, polystyrene foam and household appliances. Bridges in the city are damaged and, worst of all, houses are destroyed. Some of them are practically without walls.

In Lądek, the water has destroyed almost all the bridges, including the historic 16th-century St. John's Bridge. According to legend, it was very durable because chicken eggs were used in its construction.

Flood damage in the town: photo PAP

There is no water in the city, and electricity is only available in some areas. There is also no mobile coverage communications. People climb the hill to make a phone call.

The town of Stronie Śląski suffered huge damage during Sunday's flood wave. After part of the dam broke, a destructive wave immediately rushed over the city.

The aftermath of severe weather in the Polish city of Stronie Śląski/Photo Paweł Relikowski/Polska Press

Communication with the residents of this Polish settlement is now very complicated. In particular, the mobile base stations are not working, and transport to the city itself is difficult. The city is also cut off from electricity, gas and water supply.

It is also known that in Lower Silesia, as a result of a dam break between the Topol and Kozielno reservoirs, it was necessary to announce an immediate evacuation of part of the city of Paczków, in the southwest. It is reported that the water is flowing “at full speed”, so they must think about the safety of the locals.

Another dam has broken in Poland: watch the video

In addition, several streets in the city of Levin-Brzeski are already flooded, and the water is spreading throughout the city.

“After some time, it will be impossible to evacuate. The amount of water in the streets is growing. Cars will no longer enter – with the exception of military or fire-fighting equipment,” said the city's mayor, Artur Kotara.

The city's mayor assured that people who need help to evacuate will receive it. In Worzław, authorities have ordered the use of 40,000 sandbags to raise the embankment and protect the residential areas of Marszowice 1 and Marszowice 2 from possible flooding by the Bystrica River.

They are trying to raise the embankment in Wroclaw/Photo wroclaw.pl

Jacek Sutryk, the mayor of Wroclaw, said that the embankments will be partially surrounded by film, and soldiers will use 40,000 sandbags to lift them.

As Donald Tusk noted, according to the draft regulation of the Council of Ministers, a state of natural disaster will be declared in the flooded areas for up to 30 days. Evacuation orders and stay-in-place orders are currently in effect.

How bad weather hit Romania

Reuters reported that Romania is struggling with the devastating effects of recent flooding, which has killed at least four people. The eastern region of the country has been particularly hard hit, with thousands of homes destroyed or severely damaged.

In total, flooding has hit eight counties in Romania, causing significant damage to residents. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu reported that about 5,000 houses were damaged and 25,000 residents were left without electricity. The situation is particularly grave in Galati County, where the first victims were found.

Rescue teams are actively working to overcome the consequences of the bad weather, and local authorities have committed to providing the necessary support to the victims, including food and temporary housing.

We have created an operational crisis headquarters at the Galati County Council with the participation of the ministers of defense, interior, and environment. The priority is saving lives. We have all the necessary logistics for rapid intervention, including emergency helicopters, the Romanian prime minister said.

Massive flooding in Romania/Photo Getty Images

What's happening in the Czech Republic

Czech media write that on the morning of September 15, the energy company CEZ Distribution announced serious power outages that affected 11 districts in the northern regions of the country. More than 200,000 residents are still without electricity, with significant outages observed in the South Moravian, Vysočina, Zlín and some districts of the Olomouc regions.

Unfortunately, the situation is not improving and new faults are occurring due to flooding of the area and strong winds. Our fitters and colleagues from other companies are working and will work all day where safety allows, the company added.

Czech police said they were searching for three people who were in a car that fell into the Staric River on September 14 near Lipova Lazne, a village about 235 kilometers east of Prague that was hit hardest along with the neighboring town of Jeseník.

The police and fire brigade evacuated people in the area using a helicopter. In total, more than 10,000 people have been evacuated in the country, the head of the fire brigade told Czech television.

Flooding in the city of Žulová/Video from the account @KucerkaMiroslav on the social network X

The most difficult situation is in the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions, as well as in the city of Hradec Kralove and the Liberec region. Forecasters do not rule out flooding in the Jeseníky, Karnovský and Opavský regions.

Consequences of bad weather in the city of Jeseníky/Video from the account @NickJF75 on the social network X

Currently, the highest flood threat has been declared in 38 settlements in the Czech Republic. In Prague, flood protection has already been raised, embankments have been closed, and various facilities are also being shut down, for example, the zoo has closed due to bad weather.

Austria is also preparing for a natural disaster

The weather situation in Austria is also worsening. According to the Austrian Federal Geosphere Institute, August was the hottest month on record, but the latest forecasts predict heavy precipitation in many regions, with up to 20 centimeters of precipitation expected daily. Snowfalls have already begun in several areas, raising concerns about possible avalanches.

An avalanche occurred in the Austrian Tyrol while a group of 30 tourists were in the mountains. It is known that one person is missing, rescuers were called in to search for her, but it is unknown whether the victim was found.

The level of a local river has risen in Vienna/Video from the @AsgardIntel account on the social network X

Due to worsening weather conditions, Austrian emergency services are preparing for possible evacuations in several municipalities. Authorities warn that significant difficulties may arise for residents of the Lower Austria region in the coming days.

A firefighter who was extinguishing a flood in Lower Austria also died, Austrian Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler said on Sunday. Meanwhile, the flood has already reached Vienna, where local residents in the Penzing district have been evacuated from their homes.

Thousands of swallows and swifts have died in bad weather in Austria. They were just on their way to warmer climes when they got caught in heavy rain and snowfall.

Due to the high humidity in the air, there are no insects for migratory birds to feed on during the flight, and low temperatures further deplete them.

Birds escape from bad weather in Austria/Photo Tierschutz Austria

Residents of Vienna, Lower Austria and Styria are distributing photos of hundreds of swallows trying to save themselves and keep warm on window sills. And the corpses of birds that did not survive the bad weather are lying right on the sidewalks.

Local residents are urged to hand over injured birds to rescue centers, and are also collecting funds for food.

Activists save birds from bad weather/Photo Tierschutz Austria

A prison in the city of Göllersdorf was also damaged. According to emergency services, the first dams have burst, including in Gadersdorf and Pottenbrunn. The population is being evacuated, and in some places help is only possible from the air.

Around 10,000 emergency services personnel are involved in large-scale rescue operations across Lower Austria. They are rescuing people stuck on roofs, pumping water out of flooded buildings and clearing roads blocked by fallen trees.

As part of the coordinated response, around 2,400 troops have been deployed to assist in these critical operations. In addition, army helicopters are actively involved, dropping sandbags to shore up the dam that was breached.

About 100 roads are inundated due to the flooding, including federal roads and two motorways near Vienna – the Süd (A2) and West (A1).

Public transport, particularly rail services, are disrupted across the eastern region of the country. In the capital, Vienna, two subway lines are also flooded and are operating intermittently. Authorities are urging citizens to refrain from unnecessary travel and from being outdoors. In some schools, students are allowed to miss classes on Monday.

In addition, in the Austrian capital, passengers on the Swiss river cruise ship Thurgau Prestige have been unable to disembark since Saturday, September 14. People are unable to leave the ship due to a flooded pier.

In Vienna, one hundred and fifty people are blocked on a liner/Photo APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH

Due to flooding on the Danube caused by heavy rains, 102 passengers and 40 crew members were left stranded on the ship. People say that, fortunately, they are provided with everything, and they can only wait for local authorities to allow further sailing or disembarkation.

Moldova is also drowning after heavy rains

Due to heavy rains, the streets of cities and villages in Moldova were covered with water. A video from Chisinau was shown on the Internet, in which streams of water sweep people off their feet. In particular, two women were pulled right under the wheels of a car, which, fortunately, was standing at the time. A passerby helped both of them.

Water washed two women under the wheels of a car: watch the video

A similar case was also reported in another part of the city, where a woman fell into a raging stream of water.

In a statement, the Chisinau Electric Transport Department confirmed that trolleybus and bus services have been suspended to ensure the well-being of passengers and staff.

In addition, it was reported that the Maria Bieshu Opera and Ballet Theatre in Chisinau suffered from flooding as a result of the bad weather.

Heavy precipitation has caused significant disruptions to traffic in Chisinau and Straseni, as well as in the Cantemir and Lei districts. The government issued a statement confirming that the R34 and R35 highways are currently blocked. In addition, 13 settlements in Orhei, Cantemir and Lei districts are without power.

The Bic River in Chisinau has overflowed its banks: watch the video

A dam of a reservoir has burst in the village of Romanovka in Leevsky district, causing water to flow into lake.

Which other countries may suffer from the storm

In Slovakia and Hungary, they expect that the Danube River may approach a critically high level due to the storm brought by the cyclone. It is expected that the peak of the flood wave of about 8 meters may cover the regions as early as next week.

Rescuers are currently preparing for possible storms. In the Hungarian capital Budapest, officials have updated forecasts for the Danube to rise to more than 8.5 metres (28 feet) in the second half of this week, approaching the record 8.91 metres (28 feet) seen in 2013.

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony has warned locals and visitors alike that the “biggest flood of the decade” is approaching.

The lower piers in Pest and Buda will be closed from 8pm on Monday (September 16 – Kanal 24), with the mayor asking anyone parking there to collect their cars by then. He stressed that Margaret Island and the Romai coast are particularly at risk of flooding, and closures should also be expected in these areas, the Telex publication reports.

Public transport will also likely be restricted near the Danube.