Constant rain is causing rising water levels and many fire brigade operations, especially in the west and southwest of Germany. Saarland is currently particularly affected. The authorities there warn: There is a danger to life and limb.
Heavy rain is currently causing problems, especially in southwest Germany. Particularly affected is Saarland. According to the flood reporting center, there is currently an extreme risk of flooding there. The State Office for Environmental and Occupational Safety in Saarbrücken said it was a flood event that occurs every 20 to 50 years.
The flood also brings Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the scene. Instead of campaigning, Scholz wants to get an idea of the local flooding on Saturday. This was announced by Saarland government spokesman Julian Lange.
A major disaster was declared in the state capital Saarbrücken. There the Saar overflowed its banks. Massive flooding poses a danger to life and limb. Numerous cellars were flooded and many streets were closed – including the A 620 city highway in Saarbrücken.
According to the city, several buildings in the city area had to be evacuated. Alternative accommodation is available for the people living there. The population was asked to avoid spending time outdoors at all costs and to avoid flooded or endangered sections of traffic routes.
Interior Minister Reinhold Jost (SPD) estimates, according to the Saarland radio The current disaster protection situation is very tense: “Our top priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the population.”
The Saar is expected to continue rising until Saturday
Due to the predicted amounts of precipitation, it is assumed that the water levels at the gauges in the Saar catchment area will rise very sharply, the State Office for Environmental and Occupational Safety in Saarbrücken announced in the flood situation report. While the water levels on the Blies, Nied and Prims are expected to partially fall again during the evening, according to the forecast, the peak on the Saar is expected during Saturday morning.
At Großrosseln, two of three border crossings into France were closed because the Rossel overflowed its banks. Due to floods and landslides, bus traffic is restricted in the Saarpfalz district. In Gersheim, some cellars are already flooded up to the ceiling.
According to the railway company Vlexx, train traffic in Saarland was also severely restricted, and this also applied to bus traffic.
The German Weather Service (DWD) has predicted heavy, continuous rain until Saturday night, especially in the areas west of the Rhine. After that the rain should slowly subside.
There were around 300 fire brigade operations in Nuremberg within three hours.
storm warning for large parts Southern Germany
It had already rained heavily in the southwest and west of Germany last night – as well as in northern Bavaria. It was particularly true here Nuremberg: According to the police, several underpasses here filled with water within a very short period of time. There were around 300 fire brigade calls within three hours.
For example, two people were rescued from the roof of their car in the evening after they got stuck in a flooded underpass and climbed onto the car roof. Both remained uninjured, the fire department said.
Severe weather warnings in several federal states
In Rhineland-Palatinate, too, continuous rain is causing some rivers and streams to rise rapidly. Southwest Palatinate is particularly affected; landslides have occurred there and some streets are flooded.
There is also a risk of flooding in Baden-Württemberg after heavy rain and hail on Friday night. The DWD also expects more rain there in the next few days. Deep “Katinka” could locally bring up to 100 liters of precipitation per square meter, stormy gusts and hail.
In Hesse, a severe weather warning from the DWD is in effect for the districts of Groß-Gerau, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Bergstrasse and Odenwald until Saturday night.