Germany floods: Rain eases as fifth death confirmed
June 4, 2024
Authorities in Bavaria said they recovered a woman's body from a car that sank into floodwater. While heavy rainfall is no longer expected, water levels remain high in some parts of southern Germany.
The situation has now eased in southwestern Germany, but water levels remained high in parts of Bavaria, particularly on the DanubeImage: Armin Weigel/dpa/picture alliance
Police confirmed the fifth death on Tuesday, saying the body of a 57-year-old woman was recovered after she had driven a car into a closed road in Bavaria and drowned. Authorities are still searching for a missing firefighter whose vessel overturned during a flood rescue operation.
The official Bavarian flood information service said on Tuesday the situation remained tense due to the high water levels. However, no more heavy rainfall is forecast and the water levels are expected to drop.
The German Weather Service DWD also forecast mostly dry conditions for most of southern Germany, apart from the Alps.
"From a meteorological point of view, the all-clear can now be given for southern Germany," said DWD meteorologist Robert Hausen.
Rail, waterway affected
Many schools across southern Germany continued to be closed on Tuesday, while German train operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) said some local and long-distance routes were canceled.
Heavy rainfall has also affected the Rhine River, a major waterway in western Germany.
A spokesperson for the Rhine Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) told the Reuters news agency that large sections of the river were closed, with many ships waiting for water levels to fall.
"We are talking about several days during which shipping will be suspended," the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Heavy rainfall and flooding hits southern Germany
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in many parts of southern Germany. Villages and towns have been rushing to take measures to stop the water — or evacuate their citizens.
Image: Stefan Puchner/dpa/picture alliance
More warnings for Sunday
Sunday's weather forecast predicted strong thunderstorms in central and southern Germany. The German Weather Service maintained the highest warning level for the region between Lake Constance and Upper Swabia to western Upper Bavaria, cautioning about severe weather. So far, one firefigther has died and at least one person is missing.
Image: Daniel Reinelt/Eibner/IMAGO
Completely surrounded by floodwater
The areas severely affected include the district of Augsburg to the west of Munich. Here in Fischach, several residential houses have been cut off from the outside world due to flooding. Some residents had to be evacuated by helicopter.
Image: Michael Bihlmayer/Bihlmayerfotografie/IMAGO
Flooded basements and ground floors
In the town of Babenhausen, countless houses had their basements and groundfloors flooded. Here too, helicopters were used to help and two people were rescued from the roof of their home. Emergency services in the district reportedly got more than 100
people to safety on Saturday including dozens of children.
Image: Nikolas Schäfers/dpa/picture alliance
Emergency warnings in several districts
The district of Günzburg is one of several in Bavaria that have issued the highest alarm level. Water was up to 1.5 meters (almost five feet) high in the city center of Babbenhausen. People and animals were being rescued with the help of boats and tractors.
Image: Bernd März/IMAGO
Evacuations on Lake Constance
As early as Friday, Lindau on Lake Constance reported an "extremely critical flood situation." The water was pushing out of the sewage system; streets were up to one meter (3.2 feet) under water and temporarily, the city bus service has been stopped. Here, a house is being evacuated.
Image: Bernd März/IMAGO
Preparations in Regensburg
Most of the water in the affected area is eventually headed for the Danube. That means it eventually will end up in Europe's second-largest river. Further downstream, in Regensburg, preparations are already underway for the predicted rising water level.
Image: Armin Weigel/dpa/picture alliance
Landslide derails express train
Trains between Munich and Stuttgart were canceled again on Sunday, as residents and authorities battled heavy rain. Two wagons of an intercity express train derailed in Baden-Württemberg due to a landslide.
Image: Fabian Koss/dpa/picture alliance
More evacuations on Sunday
Schrobenhausen was another town severely affected. On Sunday morning, more people were being evacuated with boats and then brought to safety while their houses remained flooded.
Image: 7aktuell/IMAGO
Rivers expected to rise further
In the town of Pfaffenhofen, the small Ilm river was flooding large areas and with more rain expected in the next days, the water levels are due to rise more and more.
Image: Jason Tschepljakow/dpa/picture alliance
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Bavaria pledges €100 million in aid
Markus Söder, Bavaria's state premier, announced that the state government will provide at least €100 million ($109 million) in financial aid to those affected.
Private households, commercial enterprises, self-employed people and farmers can benefit from the aid package, according to Söder.
"Bavaria is helping quickly and unbureaucratically," he said. "We will not leave anyone alone in times of need."
Meanwhile, as the situation began to ease in Germany, neighboring Poland began to report floods following its own heavy rainfall.
The town of Bielsko-Biala in Silesia had reportedly been inundated with the mayor issuing a flood warning.
German news agency DPA said that Polish emergency services had responded to more than 700 calls after numerous cellars were filled with water.
fb/nm (AFP, AP, dpa)
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