“Anyone who doesn’t really have to go anywhere should please stay home. We already have more than enough missions” – Hannes Niedermayr, officer in charge of the Upper Austrian. State Fire Command says what many of its comrades want in the middle of the snow chaos. Because record rains are currently keeping the entire country in suspense.
Due to the onset of winter, the emergency services were also very busy in Upper Austria. The state fire command has completed 659 missions since midnight alone, and of a total of around 900 fire brigades in the state above the Enns, 364 bases were in use by mid-morning, according to an initial assessment on Saturday. Most incidents involved stationary vehicles and enormous snow pressure that severed power lines.
26,000 households without electricity
According to Netz OÖ, around 26,000 households were without power around 10 a.m. A kind of crisis team was set up at the national fire brigade command on Saturday morning, namely a technical operational management team, which is intended to help fire brigades nationwide obtain important equipment.
“Please stay at home, avoid unnecessary car journeys,” Hannes Niedermayr of the Upper Austrian State Fire Command (LFK) told “Krone”: From the central area to Innviertel, the emergency services are already “quite stressed.” Trees toppled by snow loads blocked roads across the country and downed power lines; vehicles had to be recovered in all districts. The nationwide power outages alone are draining our resources. The LFK has ordered that the bases be occupied “as far as possible” during power outages, so that the population can seek help there.
“Intensive situation” in the Braunau district
Particularly in the Braunau district, the officer in charge described the situation as “intense” in terms of the operations. “And it’s only morning,” Niedermayr emphasized.
“Trees, cars, electricity”
The Florianis are currently focusing on three things: “Trees, cars, electricity – that’s what it’s all about at the moment,” Niedermayr explains. Due to the snow pressure, many trees fall and have to be cleared from the streets, at the same time cars slide off the road and the snow pressure also endangers the power supply.
Things should go better in the afternoon
The heavy snowfall is expected to diminish Saturday afternoon. Then the situation could be alleviated.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
