Storm chaos in Waidhofen: Fire brigade use against tide and storm damage!

Storm chaos in Waidhofen: Fire brigade use against tide and storm damage!

In the Waidhofen district on the Thaya, several thunderstorms with heavy rain and gusts of wind caused considerable damage. According to 5min.at, 164 firefighters from 15 different fire brigades were deployed. The municipality of Groß-Siegharts, where overturned trees, flooded basement and covered parts of a factory roof were particularly affected was affected.

The effects of the storm were noticeable in the entire region. The state road 60 in Ellends turned into a raging river due to the massive water masses. In Weinern, a fallen tree fell just next to a residential building. Roads and basements are nevertheless flooded in Ludweis-Aigen, whereby a catch-in tap threatened to run over. The town center was also heavily flooded in Drösiedl.

comprehensive operational measures

The fire brigade worked into the night to cope with the Situation. Their tasks included pumping flooded basement, removing fallen trees and the removal of bruises in streams. In total, the storm has led to about 80 missions in the fire brigade, while additional affected communities such as Kautzen, Waldkirchen an der Thaya, Karlstein an der Thaya, Raabs on the Thaya and Windigsteig also needed support, as ORF

According to fire brigade president Robert Mayer, the emergency services were not only physically but also mentally demanded. He calls for special measures to prepare the fire brigade for the challenges of various elementary events that will increase in the coming years. These include a strong membership structure as well as innovative technical and tactical developments. Climate change makes these measures necessary in order to be able to protect citizens effectively, says Mayer.

The fire brigades play a crucial role in the security landscape of Austria. In 2023, a total of 9,354 people and 7,010 animals were saved by the emergency services (without information from Vienna and Vorarlberg). Volunteering is at the center of the fire brigade system, and thanks to the many fire brigade members and their relatives and employers for their support and understanding, such as [bundesfeuerwehrverband.at] (https://www.bundesfeuerwehrverband.at/2024/02/Feuerwehr-statistics-2023-34-34-- Mehr-klimawandel- show) summarize.