As floodwaters that hit many regions of Austria since last Thursday finally started to recede, the recovery process got underway. 

Lower Austria, one of the worst-hit regions, saw some relief from the rainfall on Tuesday, but the aftermath of the devastation continued to disrupt daily life.

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner confirmed that although the rains have stopped, the situation remained tense.

“The worst may be over, but there is still much to do,” she said during a press conference, acknowledging that towns were still evacuated, transportation was still limited, and communities were without basic services.

More than 20 municipalities in Lower Austria were still inaccessible, and electricity and drinking water supplies remained disrupted. 

The province suffered significant damage, with 26 roads still closed and 2400 households without power early on Tuesday. Meanwhile, clean-up efforts begun, as local fire brigades worked to clear blocked roads and remove debris. 

Mikl-Leitner praised emergency services for their tireless work and acknowledged the support of federal states, local mayors, and other volunteers.

Lives lost and villages evacuated

The floods have claimed the lives of five people – the latest victim, that of an elderly woman, was announced on Tuesday morning.

The victim was an 81-year-old woman from Würmla (Tulln district). According to the police, the woman died in her flooded home. She had already been asked to leave the house by the fire brigade on Saturday, according to the police.

Flooding also prompted the evacuation of seven villages in the Tullnerfeld region.

More than 300 people were sheltered at emergency centres, while others sought refuge with relatives. 

Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf reported that although some communities were beginning to return to normal, others remained on high alert. Several areas, including the Kamptal and Pielach, saw dangerously high water levels overnight, with emergency crews working around the clock to prevent further damage.

In Haunoldstein, efforts to maintain flood defences helped prevent the worst of the flooding, although 350 buildings were still impacted. According to local officials, while water levels in the region were falling, the clean-up work would take weeks and possibly months to complete.

Vienna moves into recovery mode

In Vienna, the flood situation had improved significantly on Tuesday. 

Water levels in the Vienna River and Danube had dropped, allowing clean-up teams to begin work along affected areas. Public transport services were gradually being restored, with damage to key underground lines, including the U2, U3, U4, and U6, under assessment. Tram services had also resumed in some areas after repair work.

Despite the positive signs, certain precautions remained in place. 

Public parks across Vienna remained closed due to tree fall risk, and some roads were still partially flooded. Wiener Linien started to dismantle temporary flood protection measures and repair damaged infrastructure.

The U4 was running only between Heiligenstadt and Friedensbrücke, the U6 only between Floridsdorf and Westbahnhof as well as Meidling station and Siebenhirten. There was a slightly positive development with the U3, which could go between Ottakring and Schlachthausgasse, while service to Simmering was still suspended, the public transport company said. The U2 was running between Seestadt and Taborstraße.

Concerns over snowmelt and landslides

While the worst of the rainfall passed, experts warned that further risks remain. 

Warmer temperatures in the coming days could cause snowmelt, which could lead to additional flooding in some parts of Austria, especially in mountainous regions such as Salzburg and Tyrol. 

Geomorphologist Thomas Glade cautioned that the combination of rainfall and snowmelt may also increase the risk of landslides and mudslides, particularly in areas with already saturated soil.

Authorities closely monitored conditions, particularly in Lower Austria, where the ground remains unstable. “The full extent of the landslides won’t be known for several days,” Glade said, urging residents to remain vigilant as recovery efforts progress.

Transport gradually returning to normal

Austria’s national railway service, ÖBB, made progress in restoring train routes, with several lines, including the Pottendorfer Linie and Mattersburger Bahn, operational early on Tuesday. 

However, major disruptions continued on key routes, such as the western line between Vienna-Meidling and St. Valentin, where emergency buses had been deployed. ÖBB said transport services were expected to resume fully once flood protection barriers had been removed and repairs completed.

Residents and travellers alike were urged to monitor the latest travel updates and avoid unnecessary journeys, especially in flood-prone areas. 

Emergency measures remained in place across several regions, and authorities were coordinating efforts to ensure public safety as the recovery process continues.