At least 8 dead as deadly floods hit Central and Eastern Europe
A resident is evacuated from her flooded house in Jesenik, Czech Republic, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
At least eight people have died after some of the heaviest rainfall in decades battered parts of Central and Eastern Europe, causing deadly floods and major disruption.
A slow-moving low-pressure system dubbed “Storm Boris” dumped months’ worth of rain over several historic capitals, including Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague, over the past few days.
Red alerts and emergency response to deadly floods in Europe
On Monday, red alerts, the highest level of weather warning, remained in place for parts of Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia, as heavy rains continued to pummel the region. In Poland, one person drowned in Klodzko County on Sunday, while authorities urged residents of Moszczanka and Laka Prudnicka to evacuate after a dam breach threatened the area.
Austria also reported fatalities. A firefighter lost his life in action while battling floodwaters, the Austrian fire department told CNN. Romania confirmed two additional deaths from flooding on Sunday, following four fatalities the day before.
Rescue teams have been working to save hundreds of people stranded by floodwaters. Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu told Antena 3 that efforts were most critical in seven localities, with 5,400 houses damaged in the southeastern region of Galati, the hardest-hit area.
Devastation and despair in Romania
Residents in the village of Pechea described the devastation caused by the flooding. “I have nothing left,” social worker Sofia Basalic told Agence-France Presse (AFP), recounting how the water destroyed her home and killed her animals. Factory worker Gica Stan, whose house was also flooded, said he was left with nothing but donated clothes.
Floods spread across Poland and the Czech Republic
Flooding has reached critical levels in Poland, where 1,600 people were evacuated in Klodzko County as rivers burst their banks, submerging parts of the town. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the country’s first death by drowning on Sunday, describing the situation as “dramatic.”
Czech President Petr Pavel warned that the flooding was “far from over” and expressed concern about the damage in poorer regions. In Krnov, up to 80% of the city was submerged, while more than 10,500 people have been evacuated across the country.
State of emergency in Austria and Germany
In Austria, heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise in several rivers, prompting Lower Austria to declare a state of emergency. Floodwaters have forced the evacuation of 1,100 homes, and authorities warned that the situation may worsen. The firefighter’s death in the town of Tulln underscored the dangers faced by rescue teams.
Meanwhile, in Germany’s southern and eastern states, authorities are bracing for potential flooding as rivers continue to rise. Flood warnings have been issued in the state of Saxony, and local emergency services are on high alert.
European Union offers assistance
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her “heartfelt solidarity” with the countries affected by the floods and offered support from the European Union to help manage the disaster.
