Storm chaos in Tyrol: streets are transformed into raging streams!

Storm chaos in Tyrol: streets are transformed into raging streams!

Fügen, Österreich - On Thursday there was a spectacular change of weather in Tyrol. A heat wave that brought temperatures up to 35 degrees was abruptly replaced by a massive thunderstorm. This started in the early afternoon and caused violent storms with hail, downpour and gusts of wind, especially in the Zillertal. Dramatic videos from Fügen show how the streets were quickly turned into raging streams, which the entire region affected. The strong rainfall put pressure on the sewage pennies, which led to floods. The ARBÖ warned of dangerous driving conditions, especially on the Inntal Autobahn (A12), where there was aquaplaning and limited view. Drivers were asked to adapt their speed or to move journeys to avoid accidents.

The fire brigades in the region had their hands full. According to reports from the fire brigade, 97 missions had already been registered due to the weather to pump out the basement and keep traffic routes free. The districts of Schwaz and Kitzbühel were particularly affected, where fallen trees and water damage were reported. A tree fell on a car on the Pillberg in the Schwaz district, fortunately the driver was unharmed. Another tree damaged a house roof, and in some towns lightning strikes led to fires in forests. At this point, however, no major damage or injuries were known.

effects and forecasts

The weather situation is still being observed closely, as forecasts predict that the storm could also reach East Tyrol by evening. Another storm cell approaches from the south, which could tighten the situation. There were also similar thunderstorm situations in other Austrian federal states, including Vorarlberg, Styria and Burgenland. So the "Woodstock of Blasmusik" in Upper Austria received an evacuation order in the early afternoon.

As reported by the WWF, the frequency of such extreme weather events is favors from climate change. A report by Working Group I of the World Climate District (IPCC) shows that global warming affects both the number and the intensity of extreme weather conditions. In particular, heavy rain and extreme heat have increased due to climate change and make weather events, such as those currently taking place in Tyrol, more likely. Human activities are identified as the main cause of these changes.

The ecological situation demands urgent measures such as the expansion of renewable energies and the faster exit from fossil fuels to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. This underlines the need for a comprehensive approach to reduce climate change and its consequences, while flood protection can be improved by ecological solutions at the same time.