After Flooding in Lower Austria: Processing Continues

Over 16,000 cases with total aid payments of 290 million euros have already been paid out, according to Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP) on Wednesday in St. Pölten. Individual damage commissions are still in operation and the last applications for this are expected by the end of the year. At the same time, 70 flood protection projects are being prioritized.

More Than 20,000 Buildings Damaged by Flooding in Lower Austria

Pernkopf looked back at "an unprecedented flood disaster" in front of journalists. It was a 300-year event and beyond in some sections. More than 20,000 buildings in 425 municipalities were affected by floods. According to Pernkopf, 90 percent of the aid payments made so far have been allocated to private residential buildings. This is followed by 8.5 percent commercial enterprises and 1.5 percent farms. At the district level, most payments went to St. Pölten-Land (103 million euros), followed by Tulln (78 million euros) and Melk (33 million euros). "We expect the last applications to arrive by the end of the year," predicted Katharina Schmid from the Disaster Fund.

Increase in Aid Possible for Hardship Cases After Flooding in Lower Austria

The aid paid out so far of 50 percent can be increased to up to 80 percent in hardship cases. So far, 90 reports have been received in the private sector, and a payout is expected before Christmas. Four hardship cases have been recorded so far in the business sector. Meanwhile, a rapid expansion is being set for flood protection. According to Pernkopf, immediate measures and acute renovations have priority, and protection projects are to be prioritized by 2025. More than 30 projects were decided on in the state government meetings on (yesterday's) Tuesday and next week.

Regarding any deficits in dams in the past, Martin Angelmaier, head of the state's water management department, stated that all dam breaches have now been closed. The financing is secured, approvals are available. A tender should start in 2025, the goal being to carry out construction measures as quickly as possible. "Human protection takes precedence over nature and species protection," Pernkopf added in this context. However, some legal requirements still need to be changed here.

Exceptional Rainfall Recorded During Flooding in Lower Austria

Looking back at September, Angelmaier emphasized the exceptional nature of the rainfall in terms of intensity and the widespread impact on the federal state. Previous daily highs were "exceeded by up to twice" at many measuring stations. In the central area of Lower Austria, "this is in the range of a 1,000-year rainfall event". A further expansion is now to be carried out at the measuring stations, and forecast periods for the rivers are also to be extended.

(APA/Red)

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