Help for comrades

250 Upper Austrians on their way to the disaster area

The volunteers at the farewell by the provincial fire brigade commander to the disaster area in Lower Austria(Bild: Hermann Kollinger)

They help and stick together! Upper Austria's firefighters have been in constant action for three days, making sure that our province escaped the flood disaster. Now they are helping their comrades in Lower Austria and six disaster trains are already on their way to the disaster area!

The fire departments in Upper Austria are still in action throughout the province. Despite decreasing rainfall, regional flooding is still occurring, triggering pumping and safety work by the fire departments. Since midnight, 275 fire departments with around 4100 firefighters have been involved in 370 operations. There are currently still 85 fire departments with around 1200 personnel in action.

Comrades are now being helped
Although the all-clear can be given cautiously in Upper Austria, this is no reason for the helpers to take a breather. On the contrary, they are moving out to support their comrades in Lower Austria: Civil protection units from the districts of Braunau, Grieskirchen, Schärding, Steyr-Land, Vöcklabruck and Wels-Land were assembled. In the course of Sunday afternoon, six fire-fighting and disaster protection units (FKAT) with 250 personnel including large pumps and heavy equipment on 43 emergency vehicles were and will be deployed to Lower Austria.

The provincial fire department command recommends the population:

• Stay away from torrents, flowing waters and flooded areas.
• Refrain from unnecessary car journeys or outdoor activities.
• Plan for disruptions in road and rail traffic, as well as energy supply.
• Keep windows, doors and skylights closed.
• Protect vulnerable areas with sandbags.
• Keep up to date with the flood warnings and follow the instructions of the authorities.

No injuries in Upper Austria so far
While one firefighter lost his life in action in Lower Austria, the fire departments in Upper Austria have so far been able to complete all their tasks without any major incidents. 

43 vehicles from Upper Austria equipped with heavy equipment on their way to Lower Austria(Bild: Hermann Kollinger)

On alert
The Upper Austrian fire departments are still on heightened alert for the coming night and tomorrow (Monday). The weather forecasts and the development of the water levels are being closely monitored.