The flood situation will still keep Germany and especially Lower Saxony in tension on Saturday. Numerous meters still indicated the highest warning level on the rivers. In addition, rain showers will hit the north again during the night.
In the districts of Lüchow-Dannenberg and Verden, those responsible do not expect the water level to drop until New Year’s week. The situation on the Aller was still critical: the water continued to rise in Verden/Aller, the local fire brigade announced on Friday evening.
Communities without electricity
In view of the flooding situation, the city of Celle and the neighboring municipality of Winsen/Aller also warned of disruptions to the energy supply and the mobile telephone network, as the water level in the Aller is expected to continue to rise. Fire brigades, administration and aid organizations continuously monitored the development of the situation.
In Lilienthal (Osterholz district), right on the state border with Bremen, the situation remains tense, the Stade fire and rescue center announced in an official hazard information. Areas that have already been evacuated are still not allowed to be entered. Several streets in the community are without power. Further south, in Hannover, the water level of the Leine and Ihme fell. However, the emergency services did not yet give the signal.
According to estimates by the National Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation, water levels downstream of the Weser will continue to rise. Particularly in the lower reaches of the Mid-Weser, there cannot yet be talk of an easing of tensions.
Given the expected rain, Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) expects the flood situation in some regions to become more serious in the coming days, as she said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk. According to the German weather service, the rain should initially decrease slightly from Saturday to Sunday morning.
“Flood tourism” hinders rescue workers
The Federal Agency for Technical Assistance (THW) prepared to operate in the flood areas until the first week of January. “It is very clear that this will last until the New Year,” THW chairman Sabine Lackner told the German news agency. “What worries us is the condition of the dikes.” They are greatly weakened. About 1,000 emergency services are on the road in the affected areas every day.
The city of Celle called on people to take closures seriously and only travel to the city if absolutely necessary. “Increasing flood tourism and traffic mean that rescue workers cannot get through in many places.” The Verden fire brigade also reported disruptive disaster tourists. The Osterholz district also fears that there will be many spectators in the flood area on New Year’s Eve.
Ban on entering dikes
Numerous neighborhoods once again appealed not to enter the dikes, because they are weakened and could be damaged. In the city of Oldenburg, there is a ban on entering dikes, which can be punished with a maximum penalty of 5,000 euros.
Due to the weather and flooding, train passengers should prepare for delays and route closures that will last longer than planned. The connection between Oldenburg and Osnabrück is still limited due to the floods.
Meanwhile, levels at the dams in the Harz continue to fall. A spokesperson for the Harz water company says that no more water is currently being released via the emergency overflow. However, the situation remains tense as there is still too much water in the reservoirs. The water companies in the Harz hope for dry weather so that the dams can continue to empty and thus guarantee protection against floods.
Source: Krone
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