Severe flooding affected southern Germany over the weekend, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people. Villages along the Danube and Schmutter rivers were evacuated as concerns grew about a dam. Heavy rains caused disruption across two states, with more rain expected to come. Emergency services worked tirelessly, building sandbag dams, pumping water, and rescuing people from flooded homes. Tragically, one emergency rescuer died, and at least one person was reported missing.
A firefighter lost his life after his rubber dinghy capsized in Bavaria, with his colleagues able to escape. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his condolences and plans to visit the region. Thousands of emergency workers have been involved in rescue efforts, with the German army also assisting as rivers in the region swelled. There were reports of a missing woman, and an employee of an energy company was critically injured. Approximately 3,000 people were evacuated from flooded areas in Bavaria.
The extreme rainfall in southern Germany led to record-breaking levels, with some areas experiencing more than a month’s worth of rain within a day. Areas like Kisslegg and Bad Wörishofen saw unprecedented levels of rainfall, far exceeding their monthly averages. The German Meteorological Service warned of further heavy rainfall, especially in southern Germany. Lawmakers, including Vice Chancellor Robert Bavarian and Premier Markus Söder, visited the affected areas to offer support and assistance to those impacted by the floods.
The response to the flooding involved tens of thousands of emergency workers, who worked tirelessly to build barriers, pump water, and rescue people. Transport rescue services were on standby with rescue helicopters equipped with winches to assist in the flood-affected areas. There were concerns about missing individuals, and the flooding was described as unpredictable and extreme. The death of the firefighter in Pfaffenhofen highlighted the dangers faced by emergency responders in such challenging conditions.
The floods in southern Germany led to the evacuation of several villages along the Danube and Schmutter rivers as concerns grew about a dam. People were urged to stay calm, pack essentials, and follow emergency services’ instructions. The heavy rains and flooding caused disruption across two states, with more rain expected. The response involved thousands of emergency workers, with tragic losses reported among the emergency responders. The German Meteorological Service warned of further extreme rainfall, particularly in southern Germany. Lawmakers and officials visited the affected areas to provide support and assistance to those impacted by the floods.
