Vorarlberg flooding violent rains: fire brigades in continuous use!

Vorarlberg flooding violent rains: fire brigades in continuous use!

This morning, a violent rain shower Vorarlberg, especially Wolfurt and Dornbirn, showered with real masses of water. According to a report by Vol.at there were flooded roads and the fire brigades were in constant use to contain the damage. In Haselstaude, the Haselstauderbach threatened to step over the banks, which led to an emergency operation at a large intersection.

The rain also caused chaos in Schwarzach: the river in Helbernstrasse stepped over the banks and flooded the street. Residents and the building yard worked together to set up provisional barriers and hold back the water. These incidents have tightened the situation in the region considerably.

Extent of the damage

like orf.at , more than 300 missions were recorded in Vorarlberg. The damage is enormous: over 1.2 million euros, the total damage in the region is estimated. Trees bent under the weight of the water, roofs were covered and streets were under water. Large agricultural areas in Bregenz, Dornbirn and Feldkirch are particularly affected, where corn, potatoes and grassland were particularly devastated.

A lightning strike in the Hard Zollhafen even caused a fire in a sailboat. In some areas, the precipitation reached over 30 liters per square meter within a very short time. The situation demands for a rethink in flood prevention.

flood risk management

Flood risk management is essential for prevention and damage limitation. According to the information of the Environmental Federal Office , however, full protection against floods cannot be feasible. It is therefore important to take suitable measures that range from area prevention to adapted building to warning systems. The creation of floods and risk cards as well as improving the cooperation between different institutions are crucial for the future of flood prevention.

The unprecedented rain in Vorarlberg are an urgent reminder that extreme events can also occur in regions that have previously been spared. It is up to us to draw the lessons from these natural events and take the necessary steps to minimize the consequences of future flood events.