Romania Floods: Four Dead After Torrential Storms Hit \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Torrential storms in eastern Romania have left four people dead and hundreds stranded in flooded areas, as emergency teams race to save lives. The severe weather impacted 19 localities, particularly in Galati and Vaslui counties, where thousands of homes were affected. Central Europe is also bracing for heavy floods this weekend, with multiple countries issuing flood warnings.
Deadly Floods in Romania and Central Europe: Quick Looks
- Romania Floods Four people found dead in eastern Romania after heavy flooding.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing in Galati and Vaslui, where 5,000 households were affected.
- A Black Hawk helicopter was deployed for search and rescue.
- Central Europe, including the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland, braces for severe flooding.
- Romanian President Klaus Iohannis highlighted the need to address climate change impacts.
- Romania Floods Emergency services have evacuated over 250 people in Romania; hundreds more in neighboring countries.
Deep Look
Romania Faces Deadly Floods Amid Record Rainfall
Romania is reeling from devastating floods after unprecedented rainstorms hit its eastern counties on Saturday. Torrential rains, which emergency officials described as among the heaviest in recent memory, left four people dead and forced hundreds to evacuate in Galati and Vaslui counties. The storms have impacted 19 localities across eight counties, overwhelming local rescue services as teams work around the clock to save stranded residents.
Authorities confirmed that the bodies of three elderly women and one man were found in separate localities. As emergency personnel continue to search for missing persons, Romanian officials warned of more potential dangers from the floodwaters, which have already damaged 5,000 households in Galati alone. Footage from the Department for Emergency Situations showed rescue workers evacuating residents in lifeboats through muddy, waist-deep waters, while some elderly victims were carried to safety on the backs of emergency personnel.
By Saturday afternoon, Romanian rescue teams had evacuated more than 250 people, with the help of 700 personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. A Black Hawk helicopter was also deployed to assist in the most severely impacted areas. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis expressed condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, which has contributed to the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
“Severe floods that have affected a large part of the country have led to the loss of lives and significant damage,” Iohannis said. “We are again dealing with the effects of climate change, which are increasingly present throughout the European continent, with dramatic consequences on people.”
Romania Floods \ Galati and Vaslui Hit Hard by Record Rainfall
The hardest-hit areas in Romania were concentrated in the eastern counties of Galati and Vaslui. Rescue services reported that more than 160 liters (42 gallons) of rain per square meter had fallen in some locations, leading to flash flooding that caught many residents off guard. According to Environment Minister Mircea Fechet, such extreme rainfall is rare, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Fechet, who was en route to Galati to oversee the response, said the top priority is saving as many lives as possible.
The torrential downpours, combined with strong winds, uprooted trees, blocked roads, and caused widespread power outages. The Ministry of Internal Affairs sent emergency text alerts to warn residents of worsening conditions, and teams were dispatched to pump water out of homes and clear debris.
In addition to the destruction of homes and infrastructure, the rising waters have also isolated several communities, cutting off access to critical services. While Romanian authorities work to restore power and communications to these areas, rescue operations are expected to continue well into the coming days.
Central Europe Prepares for Widespread Flooding
As Romania grapples with the aftermath of the floods, other central European countries are preparing for similar weather disasters. Heavy rains are predicted to impact the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary throughout the weekend. Authorities in these countries have issued flood warnings, anticipating intense flooding along major rivers, including the Danube.
In the Czech Republic, water levels have reached critical heights in numerous regions, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. Authorities evacuated a hospital in Brno, the country’s second-largest city, as the waters threatened to engulf its lower levels. In the northeast, emergency responders searched for a 54-year-old man who was swept away by a flooded stream. Additional rescue operations were launched after three people were swept away in their car by the rising river.
By Saturday evening, more than 70 regions in the Czech Republic were under the highest flood warnings. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute noted that such extreme floods occur approximately once a century in these areas. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the government’s crisis committee was meeting regularly to prepare for further evacuations and warned that the situation could worsen.
“We have to be ready for worst-case scenarios,” Fiala said. “A tough weekend is ahead of us.”
Austria Declares Disaster Zones
In Austria, the northeastern province of Lower Austria declared 24 villages as disaster zones on Saturday, with evacuations underway to prevent casualties. Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the province’s state governor, warned that the region could face “challenges of historical dimensions” as river levels continue to rise.
The Danube River in Vienna, which has flood relief channels built decades ago to manage surges, is expected to face a severe test in the coming days. Austria’s Kamp River, a tributary of the Danube, has already swollen due to the downpours, threatening surrounding villages.
Poland and Moldova Also Hit by Storms
In Poland, dozens of residents in the Nysa River basin were evacuated as a precaution. Meteorologists warned that the worst is yet to come, with more heavy rain predicted for the weekend. In Krakow and Katowice, streets were flooded, and in Krakow, floodwaters penetrated the basement of a hospital, forcing emergency services to act quickly to prevent further damage. Polish authorities urged residents to stock up on essentials, warning of possible power outages.
Moldova also felt the impact of the torrential rains, with emergency services working to pump water from homes and restore electricity in areas that suffered blackouts.
Romania Floods \ Climate Change’s Role in Extreme Weather
Scientists have pointed to climate change as a significant driver behind the increasingly erratic and severe weather patterns across Europe. This summer, Earth experienced record-breaking temperatures, with heatwaves and storms occurring with greater frequency and intensity than in previous years. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall events like those that have devastated Romania and threaten central Europe.
Romania Floods – Romania Floods
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