Another difficult night lies behind the population of Lower Austria and especially the local emergency services. Although the water levels have dropped somewhat, saturated soils and softened dams continue to cause new flooding. And another 80 liters of rain per square meter are forecast for the next 24 hours.
Journalists are already regular guests at the Tulln security center, the deputy governor of Lower Austria, Stephan Pernkopf, was on site all night as head of the crisis team. But he didn’t sleep much, because “there’s always something to do,” according to those around him. The coordination of the emergency services poses major challenges for him and the commander of the state fire brigade Dietmar Fahrafellner.
The danger has not yet been averted
After the crisis team meeting, State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner took stock of another challenging evening. In some cases, up to 20,000 households were without power, but by Monday morning this number had dropped to 3,500. More than 1,800 households had to be evacuated due to imminent danger and the majority of those affected were staying with friends or family. About 170 people were taken to emergency shelters.
The situation remains particularly tense in the central area, where sirens are constantly blaring in the districts of St. Pölten, Krems and Tulln. With air support from the Federal Army, the fire brigade is travelling with two Black Hawks to the crisis areas in Hadersdorf am Kamp and around the sports centre in the capital. In total, more than 1,000 soldiers are on duty, mainly helping with clean-up operations.
Twelve locations currently inaccessible
According to fire chief Fahrafellner, the focus is mainly on the streets. On Monday morning, twelve cities in Lower Austria were cut off from the outside world. Up to 25,000 firefighters are constantly present. In addition to the helicopters of the Federal Army, helicopters from the Ministry of the Interior and the Christophorus fleet are also in use. Because people still have to be rescued from the flooding on the roofs of houses and cars. In total, there is talk of 800 people being rescued from the air.
Public transport has largely ground to a halt, social life is on hold – and many schools across the country are likely to have more teachers than children at the start of lessons. More than 200 roads across the country are closed and countless shopping centre car parks are flooded.
“Please stay home!”
The work of the emergency services is also repeatedly hampered by bystanders. “You endanger yourself and the fire and rescue volunteers if you drive into crisis areas on your own,” says Governor Mikl-Leitner. Urgent appeal from the Florianis: civilian helpers must stay away from danger zones. “We are on duty with our trained and trained comrades. “In addition, we simply have no more equipment,” says Fahrafellner.
Help from other states
More than 1,000 volunteers from other states, especially from Styria and Upper Austria, went to Lower Austria to support the local Florianis. “Our fire brigade has helped repeatedly in disasters at home and abroad in recent years. This help is now coming back,” says Mikl-Leitner, who thanks us.
And this help can take many forms: from Vienna, for example, came a delivery of mobile toilet facilities, which are now being set up in areas where the sewage system is failing. “To at least enable people to relieve themselves,” emphasizes Fahrafellner. There have been no more accidents since the tragic accident in which a 75-year-old firefighter died in the Tulln district. Four comrades have been slightly injured since the start of the disaster operation.
Not everything clear yet for Lower Austria
But absolute certainty cannot yet be given, says state representative Stephan Pernkopf: “The lands are full, every drop of rain is immediately washed into the streams. And many of those affected and their helpers are slowly reaching their physical and psychological limits.” Dozens of communities are currently without electricity and water, at least temporarily. However, local supermarkets provide the population with drinking water. “Lower Austria is united,” Mikl-Leitner summarizes the situation.
Damage not yet foreseeable
The extent of the damage cannot yet be predicted. The state is already assembling the damage commissions to begin the first on-site assessments by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. Mikl-Leitner once again recalled Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s promise to increase the federal disaster fund if necessary: ”Everyone will be helped,” she said. But before we start cleaning up, there are still a few anxious hours ahead.
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.
