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WEATHER

Weather forecast: When will the torrential rain in Austria stop?

Torrential rain and strong winds have caused severe disruption across Austria in recent days, with flooding and damage reported in several regions. But when will the downpours relent?

Published: 16 September 2024 14:44 CEST
Weather forecast: When will the torrential rain in Austria stop?
The Danube Canal overflows its banks in Vienna's city center on September 15, 2024.(Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

Austria was gripped by extreme weather conditions over the weekend, with heavy rain and strong winds hitting much of the country.

The country’s meteorological institute GeoSphere Austria said that in just a few days, some regions have seen up to four times the average rainfall in September. 

Authorities were closely monitoring the situation on Monday as conditions remained challenging. They warned the weather will remain challenging and that the rain was expected to ease only by Tuesday.

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

Record-breaking rainfall

Since Thursday, Austria has been lashed by torrential rain, with regions like Lower Austria and Vienna recording unprecedented levels. 

GeoSphere Austria weather stations reported 300 to 350 millimetres of rainfall in areas such as St. Pölten, Lilienfeld, and Reichenau an der Rax and 200 to 240 millimetres in places like Zwettl and Vienna’s Innere Stadt. This is far above the usual rainfall for the entire month of September.

In Vienna alone, the past few days have seen over 280 millimetres of rain at the Mariabrunn weather station – four times the usual amount for this time of year, setting a new September record.

Adding to the challenge, a cold snap brought snow to many mountain areas. In places like Rudolshütte and Feuerkogel, snow depths of over a metre were recorded, while lower regions saw lighter snowfall. 

High winds were also recorded, with peak speeds reaching 125 km/h at the Rax mountain station and exceeding 100 km/h in various other locations.

READ ALSO: Floods in Austria: The latest news and weather warnings you need to know

Weather outlook for the coming days

Monday’s forecast showed a slight improvement in conditions by Tuesday, though some rain and strong winds will persist, GeoSphere Austria said. 

On Monday, the rain was set to continue, particularly in eastern Austria and the Tyrolean lowlands, with snow levels rising to between 1,500 and 2,000 metres. By Tuesday, widespread rainfall was expected to taper off, giving way to occasional sunshine.

Wednesday and Thursday should bring further relief, with only isolated showers forecast along with some sunny spells, particularly in northern Austria.

On Monday Vienna remained on high alert despite a slight drop in water levels. Officials cautioned that further rainfall could cause levels to rise again, and a crisis team was closely monitoring the situation. 

The Wien River catch basins have been emptied to create “storage space” for potential flooding, but authorities remained cautious about the coming days.

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

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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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