Flood chaos in Vienna: Rainders brings municipalities to the edge!

Flood chaos in Vienna: Rainders brings municipalities to the edge!

In September 2024, Austria, especially the regions of Lower Austria and Vienna, experienced one of the most devastating flood disasters for many years. From 12th to September 20th, extreme rains due to a so-called VB weather situation brought enormous amounts of precipitation, which in some areas reached values ​​of over 400 mm within just five days. The Totzenbach fire brigade, under the direction of Commandant Matthias Furtner, announced that despite the damage, numerous affected families could be supported, while the general assembly addressed the events of the century disaster, as the Lower Austria Nachrichten reported.

extreme events and their consequences

Against the background that similar flood events already devastated large parts of Austria in 2002 and 2013, the entire situation was alarming. According to the analysis of the hydrography of Austria, the affected regions, especially in Lower Austria and Vienna, have been dramatic in the water levels. The intensive rainfall led to floods of agricultural areas and accelerated the soil saturation, which could no longer seep away the water. The high water levels also led to floods and dam breaks, while in many other areas the flood boundaries were often only slightly exceeded. For example, a more than 100-year flood was registered on the Liesing and the Vienna River, such as BML

The meteorological conditions that led to these extreme rainfall draw a worrying picture. The temperatures fell strongly during a striking cold front, and the snowfall limit fell to less than 1,500 meters. This, combined with a stationary deep over northern Italy, led to a continuous replenishment of damp air and rainfall in the same regions. This catastrophe is regarded as further evidence of the changed weather conditions and their direct consequences for the population, whereby the upcoming detailed analysis of the flood events will be of great importance.