Flood aid in Lower Austria: 70 protection projects quickly preferred!

Flood aid in Lower Austria: 70 protection projects quickly preferred!

Three months after the devastating flood of centuries in Lower Austria, flood protection is accelerated and aid payments are successfully paid. State Vice Stephan Pernkopf (VP), who acted as head of operations at the state leadership, emphasized: "The aid payments arrive, 16,000 families have already been helped!" A total of 290 million euros have been paid out so far. The focus is now on particularly dramatic hardship cases, the financial support of which can be increased from 50 percent to 80 percent. These funds are to be paid out before Christmas, as Today.at reported.

The floods that started with extreme rains of up to 500 liters per square meter from September 13, 2024 led to disaster alarm in the entire region. Flooded houses and flooded streets shaped the image of the disaster. Pernkopf emphasized the incredible cohesion of the 95,000 emergency services, of whom 60,000 firefighters were who provided help professionally and efficiently. From next year, 70 flood protection projects, including measures in Markersdorf, Prinzersdorf and other endangered areas, will be preferred to continue to minimize the flood risk, such as OTS reported. A third of the investments will flow into projects that give the rivers more space and create retention rooms.

In addition, current steps to improve the flood infrastructure are in full gear. The past few years have shown that investments that have already been made could prevent damage. A newly built retention basin in Fahrafeld has averted potential losses of up to 70 million euros in the Triesting Valley. With a newly decided additional budget of 60 million euros, flood protection is to be further accelerated - a clear sign that the processing of this natural disaster is treated.