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Storm chaos in Waidhofen: Fire brigade deployment against flood and storm damage!
Storm in Waidhofen on June 27, 2025: 164 firefighters on duty against heavy rain, floods and squalls.
Storm chaos in Waidhofen: Fire brigade deployment against flood and storm damage!
In the Waidhofen an der Thaya district today, several thunderstorm cells with heavy rain and squalls caused significant damage. According to 5min.at, 164 firefighters from 15 different fire departments were on duty. The community of Groß-Siegharts was particularly affected, where fallen trees, flooded cellars and covered parts of a factory roof were reported.
The effects of the storm were felt throughout the region. State road 60 in Ellends turned into a raging river due to the massive amounts of water. In Weinern, a fallen tree fell just next to a residential building. In Ludweis-Aigen, water still flooded streets and cellars, with a collecting basin threatening to overflow. The town center in Drösiedl was also heavily flooded.
Comprehensive operational measures
Firefighters worked into the night to deal with the situation. Their tasks included pumping out flooded cellars, removing fallen trees and clearing blockages in streams. In total, the storm led to around 80 fire department operations, while additional affected communities such as Kautzen, Waldkirchen an der Thaya, Karlstein an der Thaya, Raabs an der Thaya and Windigsteig also needed support, as ORF reported.
According to fire department president Robert Mayer, the emergency services were not only physically but also mentally challenged. He calls for special measures to prepare the fire brigade for the challenges posed by various natural events, which will increase in the coming years. These include, among other things, a strong membership structure as well as innovative technical and tactical developments. Climate change makes these measures necessary in order to effectively protect citizens, said Mayer.
The fire departments play a crucial role in Austria's security landscape. In 2023, a total of 9,354 people and 7,010 animals were rescued by emergency services (excluding information from Vienna and Vorarlberg). Voluntary commitment is at the heart of the fire brigade system, and thanks go to the many fire brigade members as well as their relatives and employers for their support and understanding, as bundesfeuerwehrverband.at summarizes.