After hours of at times heavy rain, there is currently a “severe risk of flooding” in Saarland, Germany, according to the Flood Reporting Centre. State authorities today announced that this is a flood event that occurs every 20 to 50 years.

Widespread flooding can occur in built-up areas as well as agricultural and forested areas. In light of the heavy rain, the city of Saarbrücken was declared a major disaster area in the afternoon. The city said there was flooding in some areas.

Many buildings in the city will have to be evacuated. The affected people were asked to take only essentials with them. Staying outdoors should be avoided at all costs. Interior Minister Reinhold Jost (SPD) described the disaster protection situation in the Saarland as very tense.

Many missions

The continuous rains caused water levels in rivers to rise and numerous fire brigade operations, especially in western and southwestern Germany. Cellars on the French side of the border were also full and roads were closed. The German Meteorological Service announced heavy and continuous rain until tomorrow, especially in areas west of the Rhine River. After that the rain should slowly subside.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Flood Prediction Center reported a sharp rise in water levels, especially in the southern part of the country. At individual water levels, she added, water levels could statistically occur every 100 years.

In Baden-Württemberg there were also persistent local rains and occasional strong thunderstorms. However, the frightening weather chaos did not materialize on Friday night. A police spokesman said that the number of traffic accidents had increased slightly. But no one was seriously injured or even died.