Suche
Mein Konto
Flood chaos in Voitsberg: communities declared a disaster area!
Storm in Voitsberg: communities in the disaster area, high costs for flood protection measures. Cleanup work is underway.
Flood chaos in Voitsberg: communities declared a disaster area!
On Friday night, a violent storm devastated the Voitsberg district and had dramatic consequences. The Grabenmühle inn was hit by a mudslide and will remain closed until further notice. Many parts of Gößnitz are inaccessible due to fallen trees and mudslides, while the Teigitschklamm is closed. A civil defense alarm was declared, particularly in Krottendorf-Gaisfeld, where there was massive flooding. More than 300 firefighters were deployed to combat the devastation and rescue people from emergencies meinkreis.at reported.
The effects are catastrophic: up to four communities – Maria Lankowitz, Voitsberg, Krottendorf-Gaisfeld and St. Martin am Wöllmißberg – have been officially declared disaster areas. The fire brigade and civil protection have set up a crisis team, while the population has been urged to exercise caution. Of particular concern are road traffic conditions and the danger posed by errant trees and debris. Left-hand traffic on the B70 is also affected due to flooding, as is access to several residents who are cut off from the outside world due to the natural events.
Ongoing dangers and costs for emergency measures
The internal investigations show that the immediate measures for restoration and flood protection will cause immense costs. Harald Eitner, head of the state's disaster control department, put the total damage at around 36.4 million euros, with 32 million euros having to be borne by the state. Costs of around 250,000 euros are planned for flood protection in Maria Lankowitz, where a bridge has to be laid. In a total of five other districts, including Graz and Leoben, communities that need immediate measures are also affected orf.at executed.
In Thörl, another affected area, extensive restoration measures are planned, which are expected to cost 1.4 million euros. However, Mayor Christian Polaschek warned that even the best protective measures can hardly stop future flood events. Nevertheless, the responsible authorities are doing everything they can to protect citizens as best as possible and assure that the clean-up work will continue at full speed.