Following the devastating floods in Lower Austria, twelve villages and areas were still inaccessible or difficult to reach on Friday, announced Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP). 68,000 emergency services – including from all other federal states – had been deployed over the past few days. “Relaxation yes, all-clear no”, emphasized Pernkopf. “That’s why many districts remain disaster areas.” 219 properties with 424 people were still evacuated. The focus of the operations remained unchanged in the Tullnerfeld, the central region and the Pielach Valley. Even helpers from Germany were in the country, according to Pernkopf. They assisted their partner fire department in Böheimkirchen (St. Pölten district).
Most of the flooding has been caused by the Rivers and lakes overflowing the banks wth the torrential rain over many days.
High insurance claims, more botched work
Meanwhile, the Austrian Association of Insurance Companies (VVO) has issued its first assessment of the potential damage caused by the storm in a press release. A “record loss amount” of 600 to 700 million euros is expected, according to the statement. In extreme cases, the billion euro mark could even be breached. Above all, efforts are now being made to settle claims “quickly and unbureaucratically”. It also points to changes in recent years: “Damage from natural disasters has risen sharply in recent years and this trend is set to continue. In recent years, Austrian insurance companies have recorded average claims of over one billion euros.”
Source: Der Standard
Image: Amazing Austria – Lake overflows