The death toll in central Europe continues to rise as catastrophic flooding wreaks havoc in the region. The Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria are in a state of emergency, evacuating thousands of people to higher ground as they brace for the worst yet to come.
Authorities have reported fatalities in these three countries, with the death toll climbing to at least 16 and many more individuals still missing. In the Czech Republic, a woman tragically drowned in the town of Bruntál when a creek overflowed its banks, leaving seven others unaccounted for. In Austria, two elderly men lost their lives in the towns of Böheimkirchen and Sierndorf after becoming trapped in their homes by rising floodwaters.
The devastation in Poland was also severe, with a surgeon perishing in Nysa while returning from duty at a hospital. Additionally, four individuals lost their lives in the cities of Bielsko-Biała and Lądek-Zdrój, bringing the total number of Polish casualties to six.
Storm Boris has caused widespread destruction, prompting hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes in Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Dams have burst, streets are submerged, power outages are widespread, and entire neighborhoods have been submerged in some areas. The scale of the disaster has led one mayor to describe it as a “catastrophe of epic proportions.”
The flooding has impacted numerous countries in the region, with Romania also facing significant challenges. Over the weekend, six individuals lost their lives in Romania, one in Poland, and one in Austria who was a firefighter. Large towns across the region were on high alert on Monday, preparing for potentially catastrophic floods as rivers continued to rise.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have taken swift action to address the crisis, canceling events and convening emergency meetings to coordinate aid efforts for victims. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed deep sadness at the loss of life and pledged Germany’s support to affected countries.
As the Danube River swells, cities like Budapest and Bratislava are racing against time to fortify their defenses against the impending floods. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed concern, particularly for Lower Austria, where the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
Amidst the chaos, relief workers are working tirelessly to evacuate residents and provide assistance to those affected by the flooding. Lower Austria Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner described the situation as “difficult and dramatic,” acknowledging that many people were facing the toughest hours of their lives.
Media reports indicate that the municipality of Lilienfeld in Austria has been entirely cut off from the outside world, leaving thousands without basic necessities like water and electricity. In the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Petr Fiala urged residents to follow the guidance of local officials and emergency services to ensure their safety.
The city of Litovel in the Czech Republic was inundated overnight as the Morava River swelled, forcing the closure of vital facilities like schools and hospitals. The situation was dire in Ostrava, where a power plant providing heat and hot water had to shut down due to technical issues.
With thousands of individuals displaced and entire communities at risk, the region is confronting a disaster of unprecedented proportions. Leaders across Europe have pledged support and assistance to help those affected by the flooding recover and rebuild.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised financial aid from the EU to assist in the recovery efforts. As the floodwaters recede and the extent of the damage becomes clearer, the focus will shift towards providing relief to those affected and ensuring that communities can rebuild and recover from this unprecedented natural disaster.
