At least 8 dead, 4 missing from heavy rain and floods in Central Europe

Flooding across Central Europe has claimed more lives as heavy rains continue to devastate the region. Several nations have experienced severe weather, prompting evacuations and searches for missing persons.

Reports indicate that countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania have been severely affected. A low-pressure system originating from northern Italy has unleashed record amounts of rainfall since Thursday, and reports suggest that Slovakia and Hungary may soon face the same fate.

In Romania, six fatalities have been linked to the recent floods. In Austria, a firefighter tragically lost his life while conducting a flood rescue. A drowning incident in Poland has also been reported, adding to the growing death toll. Additionally, in the Czech Republic, authorities are searching for four individuals who went missing after being swept away by the powerful floodwaters.

Officials in Austria have declared a disaster in the province that includes Vienna, describing the situation as “an unprecedented extreme condition.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged residents to cooperate with rescue personnel in light of the serious situation, which he confirmed has led to one confirmed death.

Many areas of the Czech Republic are currently under the highest flood warnings, with impacts felt across approximately 100 locations. The worst-hit regions are in the northeast, particularly near the Jeseniky mountains close to the Polish border, where the highest volumes of rainfall have been recorded recently.

In the city of Opava, local authorities have requested that up to 10,000 residents evacuate to safer ground as the Opava River overflows. Rescuers have utilized boats to transport people to safety from submerged neighborhoods.

Mayor Tomáš Navrátil commented on the dire conditions, stating that they are even more severe than during the devastating floods of 1997, referred to as the “flood of the century.” To prioritize life-saving measures, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala noted that his government convened to assess the ongoing damages.

“The worst is not behind us yet,” he warned, as floodwaters continue to rise throughout the country.

Despite the dark forecast, President Petr Pavel expressed a belief that lessons from past crises have prepared the nation for this emergency. Thousands of individuals have also evacuated from towns such as Krnov, which is almost entirely underwater, and Cesky Tesin. The Oder River that flows into Poland has reached alarmingly high levels in the cities of Ostrava and Bohumin, which necessitated mass evacuations.

Ostrava, the regional capital and the third largest city in the Czech Republic, is grappling with significant traffic disruptions as nearly all trains in the area have been canceled.

The towns located in and around the Jeseniky mountains have been completely cut off due to the raging waters, forcing roads to resemble rivers. The military has deployed helicopters to assist in evacuations.

Jesenik mayor Zdenka Blistanova reported that several homes in her area have been destroyed, along with numerous roads and bridges suffering severe damage. Approximately 260,000 households faced power outages early Sunday, affecting communication and transportation as major routes, including the D1 highway, were closed.

In Lower Austria, a firefighter lost his life after a fall while responding to flooding emergencies. The entire province has been declared a disaster zone, with over 10,000 emergency workers evacuating approximately 1,100 homes. These forces are also beginning to set up emergency shelters for those who have been displaced.

Chancellor Karl Nehammer addressed reporters, noting that the situation in Lower Austria is deteriorating. With 2,400 soldiers on standby to assist in relief efforts, he emphasized the urgent need for action as some dams are close to bursting.

In Vienna, the Wien River has overflowed, inundating homes and initiating the first waves of evacuations.

Authorities in Romania reported an increase in fatalities, with two additional deaths confirmed in the eastern county of Galati after an initial four deaths were previously recorded. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the situation around the town of Kłodzko, nestled in a valley of the Sudetes mountains near the border with the Czech Republic, is particularly critical.

Some residents have been rescued by helicopters as they were stranded on rooftops. In Glucholazy, rising waters have flooded streets, prompting Mayor Paweł Szymkowicz to call for the evacuation of residents while warning, “we are drowning.” The floods have also caused significant damage, including the collapse of a bridge and police station in Stronie Śląskie.

With communication methods severely disrupted and energy supplies cut off in flooded areas, authorities are exploring satellite-based backup systems to restore connectivity.

The extreme weather has markedly contrasted the hot temperatures experienced earlier in September. Scientists attribute the intensity of the rainfall to human-induced climate change, which has led to a drastically altered atmospheric state.

Source: BBC