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Flooding in Europe: Vámosszabadi border crossing to Hungary closed

Severe flooding is affecting a number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Germany, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Romania. High water levels forced the Hungarian authorities to close the critical border bridge on main road 14 in Győr-Moson-Sopron county on Monday, disrupting road traffic between Hungary and Slovakia.

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Pölös Zsófia

Pölös Zsófia

Journalist Trans.info

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17.09.2024

Authorities in Hungary closed the floodplain bridge near the town of Vámosszabadi at 1:00 PM on Monday. This move effectively shut down the nearby border crossing, affecting all road traffic. 

The closure will affect all road traffic; motorists can use the M15 motorway in Győr-Moson-Sopron county and the Monostori bridge on the 13 main road in Komárom-Esztergom county as a detour.

Poland:

In Poland, flooding has caused several road closures, with seven sections of national roads currently closed and three bridges closed. Motorways and expressways remain passable, but localised blockages are causing significant problems.

In Opole Province, the DK40 in Głuchołazy and DK45 in Krapkowice are blocked due to washouts. A temporary bridge and new bridge structure were carried away by the river current. The DK94 near Skorogoszcz is newly blocked due to road damage, and a bridge on the DK46 in Malerzowice Wielkie is closed because of high water levels.

In Silesian Province, the DK78 near Chałupki is blocked, and the border bridge at Chałupki has been closed upon request by the police.

Lower Silesia also faces closures, including the DK33 between Kłodzko and the state border in Boboszów and the DK94 bridge in Bolesławiec due to high water levels.

While some roads remain open with restrictions, such as alternating traffic or speed reductions, authorities warn drivers to be cautious.

Austria:

In Austria, flooding has created a critical situation, particularly in Lower Austria, where over 250 federal and state roads are currently impassable. While motorways are largely unaffected by now (10:00 Tuesday, 17 September 2024 – the ed.), some junctions in the Vienna and St. Pölten areas have been partially closed. Authorities have also warned that full closures of these junctions could occur as conditions worsen.

In Styria, authorities are expecting mudslides and landslides, while Upper Austria has seen the precautionary closure of the B151 road between Seewalchen and Attersee due to flooding risks. Several mountain and pass roads in Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, and Styria are also closed or restricted to vehicles with winter equipment.

This was the motorway near Vienna yesterday:

The situation in Vienna has improved since yesterday, with all roads now reopened, though subway services remain limited. The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have advised postponing non-essential travel until Thursday, September 19, due to the ongoing severe weather.

Germany:

In Germany, the southern regions of Bavaria and Saxony are the most affected by flooding. In Bavaria, the situation remains serious in southern Upper Bavaria and the highlands of the Bavarian Forest. While motorways remain open, secondary road closures are anticipated due to flooding.

In Saxony, flooding is expected along the Elbe and Neisse rivers, with potential road closures near the riverbanks. 

Authorities in Dresden have forecast a level 3 flood alert for Tuesday, while the flood situation on the Neisse is easing. 

Meanwhile, the Elbe and Oder rivers will bring the flood peak to Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg later in the week, threatening areas like Wittenberg, Magdeburg, and Frankfurt/Oder.

Czech Republic:

The Czech Republic is experiencing a significant flooding crisis, with Prime Minister Petr Fiala calling it a “flood of the century.” Several towns, including Jesenik in the Jeseniky Mountains and Opava, have been transformed into flooded zones, and parts of Ostrava have been evacuated due to the risk of rising water.

The rivers Oder, Opava, and Chrudimka are still rising, and flood warnings are in effect for over 220 locations across the country.

In Prague, the highest flood warning has been declared, with protective walls erected along the Vltava River and shipping traffic halted as a precaution.

Romania:

In Romania, several roads remain closed due to flooding. The DN 25 between Vameș and Tudor Vladimirescu in Galați County is blocked after days of heavy rainfall. 

Additionally, three national roads and 11 county roads are impacted by water and debris.

In Bucharest, heavy traffic is being reported on the city’s beltway and the A1 Highway near Ciorogârla, where vehicles are moving at reduced speeds due to flood conditions. 

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