
Emergency services and flood defence teams are on standby as the City of Vienna braces for potential flooding of the Danube due to ongoing heavy rain.
The flood control centre of the MA45 city department, located in the intake structure at Langenzersdorf on the border between Vienna and Lower Austria, along with the two other weirs on the New Danube, will be manned round the clock from Saturday morning, officials said.
The New Danube, which helps divert water from the main Danube River, is equipped with three weirs. Under normal conditions, it remains a stagnant body of water, but in the event of high water levels, the weirs are opened to relieve pressure on the main river, preventing floods.
On Friday, Vienna experienced continuous, at times heavy, rain accompanied by strong winds. Forecasts for Saturday predict even heavier downpours, especially in the west of the city, with storm gusts reaching up to 90 km/h.
Vienna’s fire brigade reported an increase in emergency calls on Friday afternoon, primarily for incidents involving fallen branches and dislodged construction site barriers. A spokesperson urged residents to secure loose objects in gardens and on balconies. People were also advised to exercise caution when walking in wooded areas, near streams, and along the Danube.
The City of Vienna has advised the public to remain indoors over the weekend if strong winds and rising water levels in the Liesing and Wien rivers persist, for their own safety.
The last significant rainfall in Vienna occurred on August 17, when many cellars and shops were flooded, while the Danube last experienced flooding in early June, primarily due to heavy rainfall in southern Germany, though the damage was minimal.
In light of the current weather warnings, Austria’s national rail company ÖBB issued a travel advisory from Friday morning through to Sunday evening, urging travellers to postpone any non-essential travel. ÖBB announced on Thursday that all national, international, and night train tickets affected by the weather would be cancelled, with tickets valid until Wednesday, September 18.
Vienna’s transit authority, Wiener Linien, is also preparing for potential disruptions and is coordinating closely with emergency services, the city, and GeoSphere Austria. Extra staff will be on hand over the weekend to address any issues swiftly. “Should the water situation change, we would be alerted immediately and take the necessary measures in coordination with the emergency services, such as placing sandbags in required locations,” said a Wiener Linien spokesperson.
Charitable organisation Caritas highlighted that wet weather, particularly rain and storms, presents significant challenges for homeless people. “Rain is worse than cold,” the organisation said. It encouraged residents to contact Wiener Gruft at +43 1 5878754 if they see homeless individuals in need of help.
Meanwhile, several municipalities in Lower Austria were declared disaster areas on Saturday due to the threat of flooding, with precautionary evacuations now underway.
In the Waldviertel region, a once-in-a-century flood is anticipated in the lower reaches of the Kamp river, according to Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf. “The hydrological forecasts are becoming more concentrated and severe,” Pernkopf said.
The last “once-in-a-century” floods in Lower Austria occurred in August 2002 and June 2013, including along the Danube.