Sun Sep 15 14:19:13 UTC 2024: ## Devastating Floods Grip Central Europe, Danube River Expected to Crest
**BRATISLAVA/BUDAPEST** – Central Europe is grappling with devastating floods following heavy rainfall, leaving at least eight people dead and prompting widespread evacuations. The Danube River is expected to crest at 10 meters in Bratislava and Budapest on Tuesday, with authorities anticipating further flooding downstream.
Six people lost their lives in eastern Romania, and one person died in Poland. In Austria, a firefighter tragically perished while responding to the floods. Poland and the Czech Republic ordered evacuations from several flooded towns, closing roads and canceling events. Austria has declared the province surrounding Vienna a disaster area.
In Slovakia, evacuations began in the western Záhorie region, the hilly Kysuce region, and parts of the capital Bratislava, where residents have taken refuge in motorboats. The heavy rains, driven by a low-pressure area known as the Genoa low, have led to overflowing rivers, washed-away bridges, and inundated towns.
Poland has deployed the army to affected areas, mirroring similar responses during previous floods in 1997 and 2010. The Polish government hopes that infrastructure improvements since then will mitigate the impact on the Oder River, the country’s second-largest river, which flows through Wrocław.
Facing criticism for downplaying the severity of the floods, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged full support for affected areas, urging political solidarity. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed the EU’s solidarity and offered assistance to affected countries.
Forecasts indicate a gradual easing of the adverse weather by Tuesday.
First Piper 