Storms have hit Hollabrunn twice and the city is a disaster area. Clean-up efforts are now in full swing. Rapid help to process the damage will be needed – at least that is what politicians have promised.
Heavy storms have caused enormous damage in Lower Austria in recent days. Even on Monday evening, the emergency services in large parts of Lower Austria had no rest. The country was once again hit by heavy thunderstorms – the region around Hollabrunn was particularly affected: the city sank into the water for the second time in just a few days.
Local inspection in Hollabrunn
On Saturday night, a storm cell raged over Hollabrunn and the immediate neighboring towns. The next day, State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner looked at the devastation and promised support to those affected. She declared the region a disaster area.
The flood came again
On Sunday evening, the flood hit the city again: cellars were flooded and in some streets residents and firefighters stood knee-deep in water and mud. The pumps ran at full speed all night and barriers were erected with sandbags. The railway line to Vienna also had to be closed again. “We have had a thousand comrades on duty since Friday evening,” said district fire chief Alois Zaussinger in an initial assessment.
Chancellor promises help
The national extent of the damage cannot yet be estimated; it runs into the millions. Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced on Monday that money from the disaster fund will be made available: “And as far as necessary.”
Damage in other regions
Heavy storms also hit the districts of Zwettl, Mistelbach and St. Pölten on Monday night. In Maria Jeutendorf in the St. Pölten district, a thick branch fell on a multi-storey house. It threatened to slide onto the street next door. In neighbouring Untergrafendorf, a tree could not withstand the storm and crashed onto a carport. In Mistelbach, a tree fell onto a street. An underground car park in the centre was also flooded. The fire brigade in the Zwettl district also had to be called out several times because of flooded streets and cellars.
Source: Krone
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