Austria is still grappling with significant inundation following unprecedented rainfall

Authorities and local media reported that Austria’s Alpine regions were inundated with heavy rainfall over the weekend, resulting in severe damage and disruptions to road and rail transportation. The city of Vienna was also submerged.

On Friday, the ski resort of St. Anton in western Austria was the scene of fast-moving cascades of muddy water that carried vehicles through the area. This was captured in footage that was distributed on social media. In the meantime, the state broadcaster ORF reported that Vienna, located in the eastern region of the country, experienced uncommonly heavy rainfall on Saturday.

ORF reported that on Saturday, a woman was carried under a bus by the force of inundation in the Doebling area in the northern of the city. According to the report, she was transported to the hospital in a critical condition.

According to ORF, the downpours of Saturday resulted in over 450 calls to the fire services in the capital, which disrupted rail transport and caused traffic pandemonium.

“The damage in numerous regions of Austria has been substantial,” Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated on X, expressing gratitude to the officials who were assisting in the cleanup.

According to ORF Vienna meteorologist Kevin Hebenstreit, the Doebling district of Vienna experienced 110 liters of rain per square meter in August, a record for the city.

UBIMET, a meteorological data firm, reported that a significant portion of Vienna’s average summer rainfall occurred in a single hour on Saturday.

ORF reports that the all-time record for August rainfall is 139 liters on May 15, 1885, with an average of 68 liters per square meter.