Flooding in Dresden reaches alert level 3

Water levels on the Elbe
Flooding in Dresden reaches alert level 3

September 18, 2024, 7:22 am

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While the floods are causing destruction and deaths in Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria, Germany has so far escaped lightly. Despite this, water levels are rising here as well. Level 3 alert reached in Dresden, Brandenburg prepares “for the worst” ahead of state elections.

The Elbe has reached the second highest alert level of three in Dresden. According to the Saxon flood control centre, the level in the Saxon state capital reached 6.01 meters in the morning. In Schöna, the Elbe water level also reached warning level three, where the water level was 6.59 meters. At warning level three, flooding may occur in built-up areas, roads and railways.

However, the highest alert level is not expected at any Saxon Elbe alert level. Starting tomorrow, the water level on the Elbe is expected to drop due to a decrease in rain. The levels on the Neisse, Spree and Schwarzer Elster were already falling again. The flood situation has already subsided in Bavaria.

According to the current forecasts, it is expected that the water level in Schöna will continue to rise during the day before falling slightly again on Thursday evening. Therefore, the maximum warning level from seven meters is not expected to be reached.

Environment Minister Wolfram Günther does not expect major floods in general – even if some of the flood water flows from the Czech Republic through the Elbe. Water levels are lower than previously feared, he said on Tuesday. “That’s not all clear yet.” He mentioned investments in flood protection as a result of previous floods.

Brandenburg is preparing for a possible flood in the next few days. In the eastern German state, emergency teams are on alert. Citizens are working to protect their homes from possible damage caused by the upcoming flood on the Oder.

Woidke: Prepare for the worst

A new state parliament will be elected in Brandenburg on Sunday. Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke said on Tuesday night in the live program “rbb24 – Your Choice: The Candidate Check” on RBB television: “We hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. ” In Ratzdorf, where the Oder reaches Germany, there is now a dike, unlike the flood in 1997, said Woidke. There are provisions for turning pages. In 1997 Ratzdorf experienced a major flood disaster with severe damage.

The head of the AfD parliamentary group and main candidate Hans-Christoph Berndt said in response to a question about climate change: “Let’s forget about climate change now. Much higher water levels have been reached in the past centuries. The dikes to be repaired. Beavers that could damage dikes had to be “mercifully removed.”

The situation should continue to get easier in southern and eastern Bavaria. The water levels of the Sempt in the Erding area and the Danube in Passau fell below the guidance values ​​for the second highest warning level 3. On the Isar in Lower Bavaria, however, the water still rose. In Landshut, the guideline level for level 3 reporting was exceeded. The German Weather Service (DWD) announced on Tuesday: “No new continuous rain or drop in temperature is currently visible.”

More than 20 deaths in neighboring countries

In Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria, there are even larger areas under water. It will be days before the authorities give the all clear. More than 20 people have died in the floods in these countries so far. Several people are missing in the Czech Republic. The army provided support in the affected areas.

There was a state of emergency in eastern Austria due to the rain that had been going on for days. More than 1,800 buildings have been evacuated so far. Several roads are closed due to flooding.

The German Red Cross wants to send more aid transports to Poland this Wednesday. According to the aid group, 2,500 beds and 500 blankets are to be given to the neighboring country. The situation is still confused, especially in the south-west of Poland. Cities and towns were flooded and dams and bridges were destroyed.