A high risk of flooding is expected from Thursday to Sunday, stretching from the Alps to the Sudetes. In addition to Poland, heavy rainfall is also expected in countries such as the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria.
Due to forecasted heavy rainfall, alerts have been issued for the southwestern and central regions of Poland. Authorities are anticipating potential flooding and have warned people to avoid approaching swollen rivers.
If a flood threat arises, residents are advised to heed local authorities' guidance, stay updated through radio and TV, protect vehicles on their property, charge mobile phones, and relocate valuable items to upper floors if needed.
Ostrów Wielkopolski distributes sandbags and sets up crisis team
In Ostrów Wielkopolski, residents can collect sandbags from the city authorities to protect areas at risk of flooding. So far, around 5,000 sandbags have been distributed, amounting to 350 tons of sand, with more being collected late into the night.
An additional 350 tons of sandbags were delivered this morning. Local authorities have set up a crisis management team in preparation for the anticipated flooding.
Wrocław considers event cancellations
Wrocław in Lower Silesia is also prepared to tackle the rising waters. The city has established a crisis task force and is considering canceling sporting and cultural events.
Meteorologists are warning that rainfall could reach record levels in Wrocław’s history, surpassing even the floods of 1997. This time, approximately 380 liters of water per square meter are expected to fall.
Wrocław's Mayor, Jacek Sutryk, held a press conference due to the flood risk in Lower Silesia.
Record rainfall expected across Central Europe
Weather forecasts indicate that extreme rainfall is anticipated this weekend across southwestern Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria, with accumulations possibly surpassing 250 mm and reaching up to 300 mm within 36 hours. Such amounts present a significant flood threat.
In the eastern and northeastern parts of the Czech Republic, heavy rainfall may raise river levels to the third flood alert level.
As reported by dw.com/pl, after a bridge collapsed in Dresden, Germany requested that the Czech Republic reduce the water flow in the Elbe.
However, this will not be possible due to the severe flood threat, as the Czechs must release water from their reservoirs, which will increase the flow.
Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Výborny emphasized that the protection of life and property, both in the Czech Republic and Germany, takes priority over repairing the bridge in Dresden.
11 September 2024, Saxony, Dresden: Parts of the Carola Bridge over the Elbe have collapsed. (Aerial view with drone, R.Michael/PAP/EPA)
Source: IMGW/RCB/DW/X/@wroclaw_info/@Met4CastUK
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