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WEATHER

‘Unprecedented situation’: Austria hit by torrential rain and floods

Austria was hit by devastating floods and extreme weather over the weekend. Authorities in Lower Austria have declared a disaster area, while Vienna’s public transport and power supply are under strain.

Published: 15 September 2024 13:54 CEST
'Unprecedented situation': Austria hit by torrential rain and floods
An officer of the fire brigades inspects a bridge as the Wienfluss river overflows its banks on September 15, 2024 in Vienna, Austria. - A fireman in northeastern Austria has died in flooding as the country was hit by torrential rains that have lashed central and eastern Europe, authorities said. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

The extreme weather that hit Austria over the weekend saw torrential rain and gale-force winds provoke floods and widespread disruption. 

Experts forecast continuous rainfall until at least Monday, with 150 to 200 litres of rain per square metre expected across the Salzkammergut and the Vienna Woods. 

The situation was particularly dire in Lower Austria, where authorities declared a disaster area on Sunday morning.

READ ALSO: Floods and avalanches: Austria set for weekend of extreme weather

Lower Austria declared disaster zone

Lower Austria was it by some one one of the worst weather in recent history. Firefighters battled flooding across the province, with over 1,160 fire brigades and 20,000 personnel deployed. One firefighter lost their life during rescue operations in the Tulln district, Austrian media reported. 

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner called the situation “dramatic” and warned that further heavy rainfall was expected. Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf said, “We are dealing with an unprecedented extreme situation. “

Several roads, including the West motorway, were closed due to flooding. The Ottenstein reservoir was predicted to reach its capacity by Sunday afternoon, which could lead to further overflows.

Vienna on high alert

The storm-related flooding has reached Vienna, with parts of the city now facing significant disruption. In Penzing, the Wien River overflowed its banks, flooding homes and forcing evacuations. Several underground lines, including the U2, U3, U4, and U6, were operating on a restricted basis due to rising water levels. Wiener Linien does not expect normal services to resume until Wednesday, as extensive protective measures were put in place.

People take pictures of the Danube Canal overflowing its banks in Vienna, Austria, on September 15, 2024. – A fireman in northeastern Austria has died in flooding as the country was hit by torrential rains that have lashed central and eastern Europe, authorities said. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

READ ALSO: Storm Boris wreaks havoc across Austria and wider Europe

Authorities have urged residents to avoid the banks of the Wienfluss and Liesingbach rivers, which are at risk of further flooding. Power outages have also affected parts of the city, including Penzing, Landstraße, and Donaustadt, where thousands of households are without electricity.

Transport and event cancellations

Train services across Austria have been heavily impacted. The ÖBB has suspended services on the West line between Amstetten and St. Valentin, and passengers were being advised to postpone non-essential travel. The validity of train tickets has been extended, but it was unclear when regular services will resume.

Numerous events have been cancelled, including the Wachau Marathon, concerts in Wels and the Wachau, and several Austrian Bundesliga football matches. Road closures due to flooding have added to the chaos, with over 45 federal and state roads closed in Lower Austria alone.

Government advice for Monday

As the weather continues to worsen, the Ministry of Education has confirmed that schools will remain open where possible. However, parents should not send their children to school if doing so would put them at risk.

According to advice from the Chamber of Labour and the Austrian Trade Union Federation, employees unable to attend work due to the severe weather will not face penalties as long as they inform their employers in advance.

“We are doing everything we can to keep schools open, but safety comes first,” said Lower Austria Governor Mikl-Leitner.

Authorities have asked people to stay home whenever possible, charge their devices (as there is still a risk of power outages), and check weather services and local government announcements.

READ NEXT: ‘Achtung… Gefahr’: What do Austria’s weather warnings actually mean?

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FLOODS

How Austria plans to prevent future catastrophic floods

Following catastrophic floods in Lower Austria, the Austrian government has announced the creation a €1 billion disaster fund to rebuild affected areas and prevent future disasters. Here's how you can access help.

Published: 18 September 2024 10:45 CEST
How Austria plans to prevent future catastrophic floods

Austria will step up its efforts to prevent future disasters in the wake of the catastrophic floods that recently ravaged parts of the country, chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and vice-chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) said in a press conference on Wednesday morning.

Following the deadly storms that primarily affected Lower Austria, the Austrian government increased the national disaster fund to €1 billion, with an emphasis on both immediate relief and long-term flood protection, the politicians said.

The floods, described as some of the worst in recent memory, led to the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Four people lost their lives, while many communities in Lower Austria face the slow process of recovery. 

READ ALSO: What’s the cause of Austria’s ‘unprecedented’ rainfall and flooding?

Efforts were concentrated on restoring homes and businesses, repairing infrastructure, and preventing similar disasters in the future.

Emergency measures and relief for affected areas

As part of the relief package, €45 million in emergency aid was made available from the disaster fund on Tuesday to assist those hit hardest by the floods. 

Chancellor Nehammer stressed the importance of swift action, ensuring that affected individuals could access support quickly. “We are very grateful for the heroic efforts of volunteers and emergency services,” said Nehammer.

Residents who have suffered damage to their homes would benefit from the expanded housing support, which totals €40 million. 

In cases where homes are uninhabitable, additional hardship assistance will be provided, the chancellor announced. 

A man wades through a flooded street and carries items on September 17, 2024 in Moosbierbaum in Tullnerfeld, Austria, as the town is expecting a third flood wave after a new dam burst. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

Businesses that were damaged or forced to close will receive special interest-free loans and guarantees to aid in their recovery. Moreover, companies facing extended closures can temporarily register their employees for short-time working schemes (known as Kurzarbeit, a popular scheme during the pandemic years with subsidised salaries to avoid dismissals)  to alleviate financial strain.

READ ALSO: Do workers in Austria have the right to stay at home amid floods crisis?

How to access support

Nehammer emphasised that local authorities would be the primary point of contact for residents seeking aid from the disaster fund. “Those affected should reach out to their mayors or municipal offices to access advance payments and receive faster support,” he explained.

In addition to immediate aid, the increased disaster fund will support long-term flood protection measures. 

An initial €10 million has been earmarked for renovating flood defences and dams, and further investments are planned to strengthen Austria’s preparedness against future extreme weather events. 

According to Nehammer, a total of €1 billion will be invested in flood protection projects across the country in the coming years.

Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler highlighted that lessons have been learned from previous disasters, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts between municipalities, provinces, and the federal government. 

Kogler also called for greater attention to soil and nature conservation, which he said can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather events caused by climate change. “When there is water, there is too much. That is the nature of the climate crisis,” he said, calling for municipalities to reduce the size of areas that are concreted over.

READ NEXT: Will my Austrian home insurance cover storm damage?

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