On the German border with Poland, all eyes are on the Oder – because the flood wave is approaching. On the Elbe, however, the situation continues to ease. In Austria, the damage could exceed the billion mark.
The water level of the Oder is currently being closely monitored on the border with Poland: the flood wave is moving downstream towards Germany. Places along the German-Polish Oder have been preparing for days for the flood situation to worsen. The Polish district of Lebus, close to the border, has declared a flood alert for the regions directly on the Oder.
On German territory, the lowest alert level is still in effect along the river sections near Frankfurt an der Oder, Eisenhüttenstadt and Ratzdorf, reports the MDRHowever, water levels continue to rise and could peak by mid-week.
In the Uckermark region, volunteer dyke walkers are needed who could check dykes for weak points and damage during alarm level 3. writes the rbbIn Frankfurt an der Oder, the Kleist Museum remained closed for the time being and will only reopen when the all-clear has been given.
Woidke calls for vigilance
Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke is calling for vigilance, as the highest alert level 4 could soon be reached in some sections of the Oder. In Frankfurt, alert level 3 is expected for the first half of the week, while in Ratzdorf this level is expected as early as Monday evening.
The Oder’s flood peak is expected next Sunday in the Polish district town of Nowa – around 80 kilometers east of the border with Germany. In West Pomerania, people are already preparing for impending floods.
In the Elbe in Saxony, however, the water levels continue to fall. According to information from the State Flood Control Center, the Elbe level in Dresden has now fallen below the 6-meter mark. On Friday morning, it was 5.70 meters.
Weak points on Oder dikes in Poland
In Lower Silesia, Poland, 35 kilometers from the city of Wroclaw, several seepages have recently appeared in the dykes on the Oder. Residents, firefighters and soldiers fought last night to secure the dykes. The water level there was 9.33 meters – and the Meteorological Institute expects it to rise to 9.45 meters.
In Wroclaw itself, however, the situation is still under control: the water level has fallen by ten centimetres compared to the previous day, said the head of the Meteorological Institute. Sunny and dry weather has also been forecast for the coming days. But it is still too early to give the all-clear, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is currently meeting with the crisis team in Wroclaw. The water is still pressing on the dykes, said Tusk.
Meanwhile, the water continues to rise in Hungary. The authorities have had to close streets and train stations. In the capital Budapest, trams and subways are also at risk of flooding. Further upstream, houses and restaurants near the banks have already been flooded.
Billions in damage possible in Austria
In Austria, more and more consequences of the flood are becoming visible – and now make it possible to make an initial estimate of the amount of damage. The insurance industry’s initial calculations amount to 600 to 700 million euros. In extreme cases, however, the billion mark could be exceeded, according to the Insurance Association (VVO). The association is striving for “quick and unbureaucratic claims settlement”.
Meanwhile, the Austrian federal government has increased the disaster fund to one billion euros to repair the damage. The country can expect around 500 million euros in aid from the EU.