The whole of Lower Austria was declared a disaster area early Sunday morning. But while heavy rain and hurricane winds rage outside, an almost eerie silence reigns in the security center in Tulln. “We have to mourn the first fatal accident,” said Johanna Mikl-Leitner.
“We ask for your understanding that we currently have to prioritize emergency calls,” said State Fire Chief Dietmar Fahrafellner on Sunday morning. At that time, the volunteer fire brigades throughout Lower Austria already had 2,000 missions on the waiting list. Fahrafellner: “And more are added every minute!” At the moment, the emergency services have to concentrate on saving lives. “We don’t have the capacity to pump out the basement,” he calls on the population to remain calm.
Firefighter died in Tulln district
Apparently, it was exactly such an operation that cost the life of a firefighter in Lower Austria on Sunday evening. The volunteer slipped on a staircase while pumping out water in a cellar in the Tulln district and died. Further information about the accident is not being released for the time being.
Only essential travel
Hence the urgent appeal of the state governor: “Stay at home if at all possible. You are endangering yourself and other people!” Because the forces of the “Lower Austrian Security Family” are currently doing superhuman work – especially the fire brigade, of course. They have been in action for days to protect the country and its population from the forces of nature. More than a thousand houses had to be evacuated as a precaution, especially in the catchment area of Kamp.
The Camp reservoirs will be full soon
As reported, energy supplier EVN has also been working intensively in recent days to create sufficient capacity in the reservoir chain along the Kamp. As a precaution, 132 million cubic meters of water were drained, but even that will not be enough. As spokesman Stefan Zach emphasized after the meeting of the crisis team, 120 cubic meters of water are currently being drained per second, but 480 cubic meters of water are being released per second: “The locks in Ottenstein must open in the early afternoon.”
Several “100-year floods”
Vice Governor Stephan Pernkopf heads the state’s crisis team. He speaks of unprecedented water masses. “On many large rivers we have water levels that only occur once every thirty years, on the tributaries there are floods for a hundred years and even beyond,” he warns of the anxious hours ahead. Rainfall of 60 liters per square meter and more is expected for Sunday. And: “The ground is full, the rain runs straight into the streams. There will be more floods!”
Auxiliary troops from neighboring states
All 1,169 fire brigades in Lower Austria are ready and at any given time there are more than 20,000 men and women present. Because there is now a disaster alert in Lower Austria, troops from other states can also be called up. Volunteers from Styria, Carinthia, Upper Austria and Burgenland are already on site and are relieving the local emergency services.
The federal army mobilizes
Meanwhile, the Lower Austrian military command is gathering its troops for the upcoming relief mission. “The soldiers are currently on their way to the barracks,” it reads. About 1,000 men are said to be ready for action today, and forces are already being marshaled in the western states. According to the command, the army is reinforcing the Red Cross with all-terrain medical vehicles to reach patients.
Thanks to the governor of the state
“We would like to thank all the emergency services, especially the fire brigade of course, but also the rescue services and the police, the civil protection association and the armed forces,” Mikl-Leitner said. She also highlighted the countless private helpers who are helping neighbors and relatives in these difficult times: “The power of the community is against the power of nature.”
What does that mean for schools?
Even though the rain is expected to ease on Monday night, more rain is expected early in the week. But schools must remain open, it is said. Even though it will not be possible for many people to travel, especially by public transport. Mikl-Leitner said: “We will do everything we can to ensure that our schools are open on Monday. But no one should put themselves in danger on the way to class.” Children should stay home on Monday if possible, the governor said.
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.
