Vienna – Storm Boris has caused severe flooding across central Europe, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people and prompting widespread evacuations. The storm, which began affecting the region on Friday, has unleashed high winds and heavy rainfall across Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. The relentless rains have overwhelmed dams, inundated streets, and disrupted public transport and power supplies.
The storm’s impact has been devastating, with the death toll including seven in Romania, four in Poland, four in Austria, and three in the Czech Republic. Several individuals remain missing as floodwaters continue to ravage the area. In Austria, Lower Austria has been particularly hard-hit, experiencing rainfall amounts five times above the September average. The floods have breached multiple dams, and thousands of homes are without electricity and water.
In neighboring countries, the situation remains dire. In eastern Germany, mobile flood protection barriers were erected in Dresden to safeguard against rising Elbe river levels. The Czech Republic and Poland have reported substantial destruction and ongoing evacuations, with the situation described as a “nightmare” by local residents. In Romania, where the flooding has been described as the worst in recent memory, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu highlighted the unprecedented severity of the storm compared to previous events. Meanwhile, Hungary has mobilized over 350 soldiers to bolster flood defenses as river levels continue to rise.
