350 million euros came from the federal government, 230 million euros from the state and 120 million euros from the municipalities. With the construction of the Machland Dam, the largest project was implemented for a good 180 million euros, the responsible state councilor Stefan Kaineder (Greens) informed on Friday. The first test of the protective walls took place during the flood disaster in June 2013.Linz. The protective measures taken up until 2013 had already proven their worth, according to the assessment at the time. Although the flooding ten years ago was significantly stronger than in 2002, the total damage was estimated at 220 million euros, only around a fifth of the 1.2 billion euros of 2002. At around 4,000, the number of applications to the disaster fund was only a fraction of the 23,000 euros of 20 years ago.
“It is tremendous what has been set in motion since then to protect the population from the dangers of flooding and flooding,” summed up Kaineder. According to the construction program, a further 206 measures are currently planned by 2025, 249 are being implemented including all maintenance. The largest project at the moment is the construction of the Krems-Au retention basin in Nußbach and Wartberg an der Krems with a total investment of 35 million euros.
But investments were not only made in direct flood protection, but also in warning and forecasting systems. According to the state council, alarm levels on rivers have multiplied and an early warning system for small and medium-sized bodies of water has been set up. Forecasting systems have been developed on the major rivers in Upper Austria, such as the Danube, Enns, Inn and Salzach, which can provide information on flood events up to 48 hours in advance.
Information on the current water levels and precipitation in the federal state is available on the website of the Hydrographic Service of the State of Upper Austria at hydro.ooe.gv.at.
Source: Nachrichten
