Severe Weather Causes Tragedy and Disruption Across Central Europe

Severe Weather Leads to Tragedy in Romania

In a devastating series of events, at least four individuals have lost their lives in eastern Romania following torrential rainstorms that unleashed unprecedented rainfall across the region. Emergency authorities reported on Saturday that five people were found dead, highlighting the extreme weather’s impact that left hundreds stranded in flooded areas. Rescue services have been mobilized to assist those in dire need in the affected eastern counties of Galati and Vaslui.

The victims, which included three elderly women and two men, were discovered in various localities such as Pechea, Draguseni, Costache Negri, and Corod, as confirmed by the Department for Emergency Situations. Authorities later clarified that one of the deceased had succumbed to causes unrelated to the severe weather, having been deceased for two days prior to the discovery.

Emergency services shared harrowing video footage depicting teams of rescuers deploying small lifeboats to navigate through the muddy floodwaters, evacuating residents, especially the elderly, to safety. The most significant damage occurred in Galati, where approximately 5,000 households were affected by the floods. A Black Hawk helicopter was also dispatched to assist with ongoing search and rescue operations.

The storm has wreaked havoc across 19 localities in eight counties, with strong winds toppling numerous trees that damaged vehicles and obstructed roads. Authorities quickly issued text message alerts to residents to inform them of the adverse weather, as emergency services worked diligently to remove floodwaters from homes. By 1 p.m. local time on Saturday, over 250 individuals had been evacuated, supported by a workforce of 700 personnel from the interior ministry deployed to the affected communities.

Romania’s Environment Minister, Mircea Fechet, described the situation as alarming, noting that in certain severely flooded areas, rainfall exceeded 160 liters per square meter—an extraordinarily rare and extreme occurrence. “Our immediate priority is to save as many lives as possible,” said the minister, who was en route to Galati to assess the unfolding situation. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis extended his condolences to the families of the victims via a post on Facebook, emphasizing the necessity of enhancing our preparedness for extreme weather events.

“The severe floods that have impacted a large portion of the country have resulted in tragic loss of life and considerable damage,” Iohannis stated. “These events are stark reminders of the effects of climate change, which are increasingly prevalent across Europe, leading to catastrophic consequences for communities.”

Power Outages and Flooding in the Czech Republic

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic is grappling with its own severe weather challenges, as river levels have surged to dangerous heights following heavy rain on Saturday morning. The relentless downpours have resulted in flooding that has inundated homes and roads across numerous towns and villages. Reports indicate that more than 63,000 households are currently without power, according to the Czech power company CEZ.

The Central Flood Commission of the Czech Republic has declared the situation critical in the Moravian-Silesian Region, prompting a call for the governor to declare a state of emergency under the Crisis Act. A hospital in Brno, the nation’s second-largest city, was compelled to evacuate patients as rising waters posed a threat. Fallen trees and floodwaters have also led to the suspension of rail services across various regions of the country.

Meteorological authorities have identified 35 locations where flooding has been reported, with the most rapid increases in water levels occurring in the Jizera Mountains and Jeseníky Mountains. The extreme weather has significantly disrupted transportation, leaving tens of thousands without electricity. In light of the situation, trains have been suspended on numerous lines, either due to fallen trees or as a precautionary measure.

Meteorologists predict that a low-pressure system originating from northern Italy will continue to unleash heavy rainfall across much of the Czech Republic, including the capital and border regions with Austria and Germany in the south, and Poland in the north. In response, Czech authorities have erected metal barriers and constructed sandbag walls, while water is being released from dams to create additional capacity in reservoirs.

“We must be prepared for the worst-case scenarios,” warned Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala following a meeting of the government’s central crisis committee. “A challenging weekend lies ahead of us.”

Evacuations and Precautions in Poland

In Poland, authorities have initiated precautionary evacuations in response to mounting concerns over rising water levels. Dozens of residents from two villages near the town of Nysa were evacuated on Saturday after meteorologists issued warnings regarding unprecedented rainfall in the Nysa River basin. Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak cautioned the public, stating, “The worst is yet to come.”

Local authorities have urged residents to prepare for potential power outages and to stock up on essential supplies. The Biała Głucholaska River has exceeded alarm levels by more than two meters overnight, raising concerns of imminent flooding. City residents living near the river were evacuated during the night in anticipation of worsening conditions.

Challenges Across Central Europe

In Austria, approximately 80 liters of rain per square meter have already fallen in the Kamptal area, with forecasts predicting an additional 200 liters. Consequently, water levels in the Kamp River are becoming increasingly threatening. Several municipalities in the districts of Zwettl, Horn, Krems, and Tulln have been declared disaster zones.

The situation along the Danube River is also deteriorating, with emergency services in Slovakia and Hungary remaining busy due to the anticipated heavy rainfall in the Danube basin. A crisis team met in Bratislava on Saturday morning, and flood barriers are being constructed in the Slovak capital in response to the emergency.

Additionally, heavy rain has impacted Moldova, where emergency workers are actively pumping floodwater from numerous homes in various localities. The weather conditions are the result of a low-pressure system from northern Italy, which has been predicted to bring substantial rainfall to many regions, including the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland.

This sudden weather shift follows an unusually warm start to September in the region, which has already witnessed some of the hottest summer temperatures recorded globally. Climate scientists have noted that a warming atmosphere, propelled by human-induced climate change, often results in more intense and unpredictable rainfall events.