Flood risk in Austria: 200,000 buildings threatened!

Flood risk in Austria: 200,000 buildings threatened!

Markersdorf an der Pielach, Österreich - In Austria, there are over 200,000 buildings in potential flood areas. This is an alarming number that puts the dangers of climate change and the increasing threat from natural disasters. Regions in which almost 180,000 buildings are located in red or yellow torrent and avalanche danger zones are particularly affected. This information was compiled by ORF in the documentary "Dok 1: Life in the Danger Zone", which will be broadcast on ORF 1 on May 28, 2025 at 8:15 p.m. In the show, Lisa Gadenstätter speaks to those affected about the consequences of the flood disaster of 2024 and shows the challenges so that the residents are faced with danger zones.

The fate of the Putz family from Markersdorf an der Pielach is particularly told, whose newly renovated house was destroyed by floods. Other exemplary fates come from Sellrain in Tyrol, where a storm led to devastating destruction in 2015, as well as from Deutschfeistritz, where the fire brigade was in constant use in 2024 to save lives. In Kufstein, a start-up works on innovative technical solutions for the prevention of natural disasters, while in Breitenfurt near Vienna the construction of hundreds of apartments on flood-prone land leads to violent conflicts.

climate change as a driver of natural disasters

The relationships between these natural disasters and climate change are becoming increasingly clear. Massive rains at the end of October 2024 in the Spanish province of Valencia led to devastating floods where over 200 people died. This weather phenomenon, known as "cold air drops", was not only noticeable in Spain, but also in Austria, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic.

In Germany, also scientists find that severe rainfalls have become more and more intensive since the 1950s. The observed average temperature increase has meant that there is more water vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn results in stronger amounts of rain. Flood protection is therefore crucial to prevent future disasters. However, the sealing of areas and the straightening of rivers reinforce these risks.

economic effects and necessary measures

The economic consequences of natural disasters are serious. In 2023, the damage caused by natural hazards in property and vehicle insurance were around 5.6 billion euros. Experts warn against doubling this damage by 2050 if no effective countermeasures are taken. In this context, Jörg Asmussen, general manager of the GDV, emphasizes the urgency of courageous measures in order to adapt to the changing climate conditions. Climate change requires a rescue operation in the form of renaturation and increased focus on flood protection strategies.

In order to clarify the general public about natural hazards, the “natural hazard portal” of the German Weather Service should inform citizens about various risks. However, this project has not yet been fully implemented. The Federal Environment Minister has submitted a new law on flood protection to accelerate the construction of dams and dikes, but the political situation has delayed implementation.

For further information and insights on this topic, reference is made to the comprehensive data collections and reports: Oots.at Deutschlandfunk.de and gdv.de .