Devastating Floods Hit Central and Eastern Europe: 7 Dead
Central and eastern Europe have been left reeling after experiencing some of the heaviest rainfall in recent history. The severe weather, caused by Storm Boris, has led to widespread flooding, forcing evacuations and leaving at least seven people dead.
Storm Boris Brings Record Rainfall
A slow-moving low-pressure system, named Storm Boris, unleashed a month’s worth of rain on several historic European capitals, including Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague. The rain didn’t let up over the weekend, continuing to hammer the region on Sunday, leaving authorities scrambling to respond to the crisis.
Fatalities Reported Across Several Countries
The storm has tragically claimed several lives. In southwest Poland, one person drowned in Klodzko County on Sunday. The situation also turned deadly in Austria, where a firefighter lost his life while trying to rescue others. Romania reported five deaths due to the flooding, according to local sources.
Rescues Underway in Romania
Romanian authorities have been working around the clock to save hundreds of people stranded by the floodwaters. The most critical impact has been in seven localities, according to Romania’s Interior Minister, Cătălin Predoiu. Rescuers have managed to save 95 people, but the victims were found either inside their homes or in their yards, overwhelmed by the rising waters.
Thousands of Homes Damaged in Romania
In the southeastern region of Galati, Romania, flooding has caused severe damage, impacting around 5,400 homes. This area has been the hardest hit, with officials reporting that rainfall levels in the past 24 hours were the highest seen in 100 years.
Rivers Overflow and Towns Submerge in Poland
In both Poland and the Czech Republic, rivers have burst their banks, leading to large-scale evacuations. In southwest Poland, 1,600 people were forced to leave their homes in Klodzko County as rivers reached record levels and overflowed. The town of Klodzko, with a population of 25,000, was partially submerged under water by Sunday.
Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, confirmed the first death due to drowning in the area, while warning that the situation remains severe. He also expressed concern over residents who refused to evacuate, despite warnings, potentially putting themselves in greater danger.
Mandatory Evacuations in the Czech Republic
Flooding also continues to threaten communities in the Czech Republic, where authorities have enforced mandatory evacuations in some regions. In the southern municipality of Benešově nad Černou, two women who did not comply with evacuation orders had to be rescued by boat after they became trapped by floodwaters.
Germany and Austria Brace for More Floods
In Germany, southern and eastern states are preparing for additional flooding, with rivers in Saxony expected to rise dangerously. In neighboring Austria, heavy rains have caused water levels to surge in multiple rivers, prompting emergency responses in various parts of the country. Lower Austria has declared a state of emergency as the rain showed no signs of stopping.
Red Alerts Issued Across Multiple Countries
To make matters worse, red alerts—the highest level of weather warning—have been issued across Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia. These alerts warn of “intense meteorological phenomena” and predict major damage as the storm continues to impact the region.
Conclusion: A Region in Crisis
With lives lost and thousands of people displaced, central and eastern Europe are facing a devastating weather crisis. Emergency services are working tirelessly to rescue those trapped and to mitigate further damage. As Storm Boris continues to batter the region, the full scale of its impact remains to be seen.