Heavy rain meets Upper Austria: 180 fire brigade missions in storms!

Heavy rain meets Upper Austria: 180 fire brigade missions in storms!

Oberösterreich, Österreich - On June 16, 2025, there were massive storms in Upper Austria, which required around 180 fire brigade operations. This natural disaster was particularly characterized by heavy rainy weather, violent storms and lightning strikes that the country searched for on Monday night. The municipalities of Gallneukirchen, Engerwitzdorf, Oberwang and Unterach in the Urfahr-Umgebung and Vöcklabruck district were particularly affected. In a short time, up to 60 liters of rain per square meter fell in Au-See.

The storm led to numerous problems, including floods, degenerate of mura and flooding roads. In Oberwang and other places, the fire brigades were ready to clear the flooded basement in Gallneukirchen and Engerwitzdorf. The overload of the channel system was a crucial factor that contributed to the large floods. In Engerwitzdorf, the level of the Great Gusen reached the alarm limit, which led to a flood alarm. Despite the critical situation, the level was able to decrease quickly, so that the fire brigade could concentrate on the basement overflowing.

measures of the emergency services

The fire brigade was intensively deployed that night, and the Red Cross supported the rescue and care of the people concerned. A particularly dramatic incident occurred in Tyrol, where a lightning strike tragically cost three hikers. In addition, the fire brigade in Schweinbach reported 35 missions due to the flood. Roads turned into raging streams in Gnesau, and in Salzburg the emergency services also often had to move out in order to remove fallen trees and report damage.

The current storms are part of a worrying development in Austria. According to an analysis by the Austrian insurance industry, damage of over one billion euros was caused by extreme weather events in 2023. These damage resulted not only from floods, but also from storms and hail, which experts look at more than new normality. Rémi Vrignaud, President of the Insurance Association, underlines the urgency of prevention measures against the increased risks from climate change.

preparations and outlook

The Geosphere Austria reported a total of 12,478 weather warnings for 2023, which shows that almost every community was affected. It is becoming increasingly important for the population to maintain understandable warnings in order to be able to react adequately. Climate change also prompted 79 percent of Austrians to rethink their way of life and do without certain amenities to reduce its effects.

The bad weather situation is expected to stop in the coming days, but a significant weather improvement is expected from Tuesday, with temperatures between 18 and 27 degrees. Nevertheless, there is concern about future weather extremes and their consequences in the population.

5min.at reports that ...
krone.at also documented the situation.
infelts.bmimi.gv.at discusses the extensive damage caused by extreme weather in Austria.