Major operation in Lower Austria

Severe storm caused flooding and hail

Hail in the Neunkirchen area (Lower Austria)(Bild: Einsatzdoku)

Dangerous scenes unfolded on Friday afternoon in the district of Neunkirchen in Lower Austria - especially for motorists. Torrential rain caused flooded roads. 

The water flowed directly over the fields and the Semmering expressway (S6) was briefly "land under". Hail also fell in places, creating a danger of slipping.

Cellars and fields were flooded, the municipalities of Natschbach, Pitten, Wartmannstetten and Schwarzau am Steinfeld as well as Neunkirchen itself were particularly affected. The fire department was in continuous operation for hours.

Garages, cellars and streets flooded
The heavy rain had already caused flooded cellars and muddy roads in the Waidhofen an der Thaya district on Tuesday. Eleven fire departments with 128 members were deployed. The torrential rain in the districts of Zwettl and Krems also put the Florianis to the test.