Flood relief in Lower Austria: 70 protection projects brought forward quickly!

Flood relief in Lower Austria: 70 protection projects brought forward quickly!

Three months after the devastating flood of the century in Lower Austria, flood protection is being accelerated and aid payments are being successfully paid out. State Vice President Stephan Pernkopf (VP), who acted as head of operations for the state command staff, emphasized: “The aid payments are arriving, 16,000 families have already been helped!” A total of 290 million euros in aid has been paid out so far. Particularly dramatic cases of hardship, whose financial support can be increased from 50 percent to up to 80 percent, are now the focus. These funds should be paid out before Christmas, how today.at reported.

The floods, which began from September 13, 2024 with extreme rainfall of up to 500 liters per square meter, led to disaster alerts across the region. Flooded houses and washed-away streets characterized the disaster. Pernkopf highlighted the incredible solidarity of the 95,000 emergency services, 60,000 of whom were firefighters, who provided professional and efficient assistance. Starting next year, 70 flood protection projects, including measures in Markersdorf, Prinzersdorf and other endangered areas, will be brought forward in order to further minimize the flood risk OTS reported. A third of the investments will go into projects that give the rivers more space and create retention areas.

In addition, current steps to improve flood infrastructure are in full swing. The last few years have shown that investments already made have been able to prevent damage. A newly built retention basin in Fahrafeld has averted potential losses of up to 70 million euros in the Triestingtal. With a newly approved additional budget of 60 million euros, flood protection is to be further accelerated - a clear sign that dealing with this natural disaster is being treated as a priority.