Berlin, September 13, 2024 – The Europe Today: Large parts of central Europe are on high alert as heavy rainfall is forecasted to impact regions across Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria over the coming weekend, sparking fears of potential flooding. Meteorological stations predict up to 400 mm of rain could fall in the highlands along the Polish-Czech border within the next 72 hours, raising concerns for nearby towns and cities.
In Poland, the southern regions of Lower Silesia, Opole, and Silesia have been issued the highest weather warnings. Authorities in Wroclaw, where devastating floods occurred in 1997, have convened a crisis committee. The Polish weather service warns of a “realistic risk of local inundations from Friday to Sunday.”
The Czech Republic is bracing for its heaviest rainfall in over two decades, with winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour in the Moravian region. Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladik compared the situation to major floods in 1997 and 2002, which caused significant damage and loss of life. Local towns have been installing anti-flood barriers and preparing for potential devastation.
The impact is expected to spill over into neighboring Germany, particularly in Dresden, which is still grappling with a collapsed bridge over the River Elbe. Czech authorities have already stated that controlling water levels in the Elbe will be challenging.
Austria and Slovakia have also taken precautionary measures, canceling public events and preparing military personnel to assist emergency services. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced that up to 1,000 soldiers are on standby, with the River Danube’s water level potentially rising to its highest in a decade. Slovakia’s emergency response teams, including the fire brigade and military, are also on high alert with mobile dams ready for deployment.
In southern Germany, the Bavarian Alpine regions are expecting between 60 to 100 mm of rainfall, alongside the first significant snowfalls of the year in areas above 1,500 meters, with up to 50 cm of snow predicted.
Authorities across Central Europe are on standby as they brace for the full force of the storm, preparing for potential flooding and damage over the next several days.
