At Least Seven Dead as Historic Rainfall Causes Flooding Across Central and Eastern Europe

At least seven people have died as unprecedented rainfall battered central and eastern Europe, leading to severe flooding and widespread disruption.

A slow-moving low-pressure system, known as Storm Boris, has brought a month's worth of rain to several historic cities, including Vienna, Bratislava, and Prague. The torrential downpours persisted into Sunday, exacerbating the crisis.

In Poland, a person drowned in Klodzko County on Sunday, and in Austria, a firefighter lost their life while responding to the emergency. Additionally, in Romania, a fifth fatality from the flooding was reported, according to CNN affiliate Antena 3.

Rescue operations are underway in Romania, where severe flooding has affected seven localities. Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu reported that although 95 people were rescued from their homes, some victims were found deceased in their residences or yards. The southeastern region of Galati has been particularly hard-hit, with around 5,400 homes damaged.

Authorities in the affected regions are grappling with what they describe as the heaviest rainfall in a century. The situation remains dire, with rivers overflowing their banks in Poland and the Czech Republic. In Klodzko County, 1,600 people were evacuated as local rivers reached record levels, submerging much of the town.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the drowning death in Klodzko County and highlighted the ongoing dramatic conditions. “Unfortunately, these situations are repeating in many places,” he said, emphasizing the dangers of underestimating the threat and refusing to evacuate.

In the Czech Republic, significant flooding is anticipated, with mandatory evacuations ordered in some areas. Footage from the Czech Fire and Rescue Service showed floodwaters in the Benešově nad Černou municipality, where two women had to be rescued by boat after ignoring evacuation orders.

Germany’s southern and eastern states are also on alert, with flood warnings issued for rivers in Saxony. In Austria, heavy rainfall has elevated water levels in several rivers, prompting rescue operations and emergency declarations in municipalities across Lower Austria.

Red alerts, the highest warning level, have been issued for parts of Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia. These alerts signify “intense meteorological phenomena” and indicate a high likelihood of significant damage, according to Meteoalarm.