Central Europe: Severe flood-related disruptions continue across the region as of Sept. 18 /update 3

Widespread disruptions due to flooding continue to affect parts of central Europe as of Sept. 18. Storm Boris brought heavy rainfall across many parts of central Europe since Sept. 14, resulting in record flooding across parts of the region. Whilst weather conditions are generally beginning to improve and floods are receding in some areas, the threat of flooding persists due to swollen river levels and protracted disruptions are likely in affected areas as response and recovery operations continue.

Authorities have reported at least 22 fatalities across the region; seven in Poland, seven in Romania, five in Austria, and three in the Czech Republic. The severe weather has caused widespread damage and power outages, and authorities have evacuated tens of thousands of people in affected areas, with areas along the Czech Republic-Poland border among the worst impacted.

Flooding has affected many parts of the Czech Republic in recent days, with the worst-hit areas in eastern parts of the country. Around 15,000 people have been evacuated across Moravian-Silesian Region due to flooding. Almost no trains are operating in the region. A power plant that provides hot water to the regional capital Ostrava has been closed due to flooding. Numerous roads are closed, including sections of the D1 Highway. Several bridges and roads have been also severely damaged. Thousands of homes have been destroyed. At the height of the storm, more than 260,000 households were without power; around 42,000 remain without power across Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions as of Sept. 18. Flood warnings remain in place across many parts of the country Sept. 18.

Polish authorities have declared a state of disaster due to the flooding, with southwestern regions the worst affected. The collapse of the Topola Dam and a flood bank have led to the evacuation of more than 40,000 people in Nysa, Opole Province. Officials evacuated over 1,600 people in Klodzko County due to rivers overflowing; Klodzko Town is partially submerged. Floodwaters are expected to peak in the Oder and Bystrzyca rivers around Wroclaw Sept. 18 and residents in parts of Katy Wroclawskie District to the southwest of Wroclaw have been advised to evacuate. Damage to homes, roads, and bridges has been reported in southwestern areas near the Czech border and rail services and border crossing are closed in the region.

Officials have declared Lower Austria State a disaster area; more than 2,200 people have been displaced after rescue crews evacuated more than 1,400 houses. Around 18 communities remain cut off as of Sept. 18 as many roads in the state are closed. Rail services have been disrupted across parts of the country. Vienna experienced widespread disruptions to public transport in recent days, but the situation is beginning to improve; regular service is being resumed on the city's metro Sept. 18. Authorities have closed the River Danube to shipping due to elevated river levels.

Thousands of homes have been damaged across Romania, including more than 6,000 houses in Galati County. At the height of the storm, more than 25,000 people in Romania were without power, predominantly in eastern parts of the country. Rail services between Barlad and Galati remain suspended indefinitely due to track damage caused by the storm. Authorities in Slovakia have declared a state of emergency in Bratislava and the highest red-level flood warnings remain in place across far western parts of the country. Authorities in Hungary have warned that the Danube River could flood and have deployed mobile dams along the river.

Further sustained heavy rainfall could trigger additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is likely in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides have been reported, and additional incidents are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain saturates the soil.

Additional evacuation orders for flood-prone communities are possible over the coming days. Significant flooding, landslides, or strong winds could impact utility networks, disrupting electricity and telecommunications services.

Floodwaters and debris flows will likely render bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces will probably cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities will likely temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Strong winds might also pose a hazard to high-profile vehicles.

Severe weather will probably trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports across the affected areas. Flooding will likely block regional rail lines, and freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are probable in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions are likely in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.