Heavy rain in Vorarlberg – fire brigades in constant operation

The Leiblachtal region was particularly affected, as it accounted for the majority of fire service operations. In Hörbranz, according to the fire service control center, preparations are being made for possible evacuations.

The water level of the Leiblach, which is the border river between Vorarlberg and Germany, continues to cause concern. “After midnight, the water levels continued to rise,” said a spokesman for the fire department control center in Vorarlberg. A dam assessment is ongoing, and the large pumps available in the state are in use in Hörbranz. “Everyone is ready.” Meanwhile, the Red Cross is preparing evacuation areas.

Most of the operations involved water entering buildings. The heavy rainfall was expected to continue until Saturday morning, said State Security Minister Christian Gantner (ÖVP). In exposed areas in the north of the country, more than 100 litres of rain per square metre fell within 24 hours; in Hörbranz in the Leiblachtal valley or on the Pfänder, Bregenz’s local mountain, it was 135 litres. The water level in Lake Constance rose by 25 centimetres to 435 centimetres within one day. This meant that the water level was a good half a metre higher than a year ago, but still 25 centimetres below the level of a two-year flood.

More rain expected

While almost all rivers – such as the Rhine or the Ill – had consistently high mean water levels, the Leiblach was “overflowing”. The measuring stations recorded extreme flooding for the border river, which statistically only occurs once in 100 to 300 years. Accordingly, precautions were taken on the Leiblach and sandbags were filled. Several buildings were secured. Municipalities and emergency services were on alert.

In addition to the north of the country – the Lake Constance region and the Lower Rhine Valley – the Bregenzerwald and Kleinwalsertal also received a lot of rain. In these regions, another 100 liters of rain per square meter are expected by late Saturday morning, Gantner said in the afternoon. Small-scale flooding, overloading of the rainwater sewer system, landslides or mudslides are possible throughout the country, depending on the precipitation cells, warned the regional councilor.

For safety reasons, the Rhine foreland, which is usually accessible to everyone – these are floodplains of the Alpine Rhine – from Lustenau to the mouth of the Rhine were also closed. The closure was to be lifted again on Saturday, it was announced. Road closures affected the so-called ford in Dornbirn and the Lochauer Straße (L18) between Lochau and Hörbranz.