Vienna in the fight against flooding: the fire department receives new special vehicles

Vienna in the fight against flooding: the fire department receives new special vehicles

On March 3, 2025, Mayor Michael Ludwig and Fire Director Mario Rauch proudly presented six new all-terrain fire engines from the Vienna Fire Department, which were specially designed for disaster control. These Tatra T815-7 4×4 Force vehicles will ensure that firefighters can reliably provide assistance even in extreme weather conditions and damaged roads. Mayor Ludwig emphasized the need for such investments, especially after the devastating flood events in September 2024, and explained: “The people of Vienna know that they can rely on the Vienna Fire Department in all situations.” These new vehicles are also intended to take into account the growing number of disaster operations, as the fire brigade is increasingly confronted with storms, heavy rain and forest fires presse.wien.gv.at reported.

While Vienna is currently preparing for this exciting expansion, the floods are hitting the city with full force. On Sunday morning, the level of the Vienna River at the Kennedy Bridge fell to an alarming 2.26 meters, an increase of over 170 cm within 24 hours. The Vienna fire department reports the first evacuations in Penzing, where houses were flooded. In the early hours of the morning, some residents had to temporarily evacuate. Gerald Schimpf, spokesman for the fire department, said that it is unlikely that the evacuees will return to their homes for the time being. At the same time, there were numerous power outages in the urban area caused by damage to overhead lines and flooding of transformer stations, such as courier.at reported.

The situation is particularly critical in Penzing, where the fire department has already recorded 1,100 missions due to the storm. Roads are flooded and water levels are making it difficult for emergency services to reach the area. The city has closed all access to the Danube Canal because the popular excursion destination, the Hermann Beach Bar, is under water. Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary journeys and stay away from river banks. The fire department has mobilized additional personnel to deal with the impending dangers posed by the flood. As the weather eases, the situation remains tense and further evacuations could be imminent.