Floodwaters rise in Central Europe, triggering evacuations in the Czech Republic and Poland

On September 15, 2024, news from Prague. Central Europe experienced another night of heavy rain, leading to large-scale evacuations in the worst-hit areas of the Czech Republic, where floods have reached extreme levels. Meteorologists warn that the situation may worsen as the water levels of most rivers rise, flood waves spread and there may be heavy rain again.

Nearly 90 places across the Czech Republic and two northeastern regions have issued the highest flood warnings. In the city of Opava, about 10,000 people were asked to leave their homes, and rescuers used boats to transfer people. The mayor said the situation is worse than the “century flood” in 1997. The prime minister said that efforts should be focused on saving lives, and the government may meet on Monday to assess the damage. Thousands of people in Krnov and Český Jiřetín were also evacuated. The Oder River is expected to reach extreme water levels in the cities of Ostrava and Bohumín. Towns and villages in the Jeseníky Mountains are flooded and isolated. The army sent helicopters to assist in evacuations. The police said that four people were swept away by the flood and are missing. About 260,000 households across the country are without power, and many roads are interrupted. A firefighter died while pumping water in Lower Austria. The state has been declared a disaster area.

Another person died in Galati County in eastern Romania. In Poland, one person is presumed dead in floods in the southwest. The situation in the town of Kłodzko near the Czech border is critical. The waters of the Glucholazy River overflowed its banks and flooded streets and houses. Several Central European countries have suffered severe floods due to heavy rain brought by a low-pressure system in northern Italy. After the hot weather at the beginning of September in this region, the weather has changed. Scientists have recorded the hottest summer. Climate change may lead to more intense rainfall.