Saxon Switzerland: Elbe water level expected to reach alarm level 1 this weekend
Large amounts of precipitation are expected in the Czech Republic and Saxony, which will cause the Elbe water level to rise sharply. This is currently being warned against.
The Elbe in Schöna is still calm. On Friday the water level reached a height of just 1.47 metres. By Sunday it is expected to rise by three metres. © Mike Jäger
In Saxony, it will rain heavily east of the Elbe from Friday. Large amounts of precipitation are also expected in the Czech Republic. The rain front is expected to cause the Elbe to rise rapidly in the coming days. This is the forecast from the Saxony State Flood Center. According to the forecast, the Elbe level in Schöna in Saxon Switzerland will reach the four-meter mark over the weekend. At this height, alarm level 1 will be declared. This is expected to happen during the night from Saturday to Sunday.
Current forecasts assume that the water level of the Elbe at the gauge in Schöna could reach around 4.50 metres on Sunday. Alarm level 2 applies from a guideline value of five metres.
On Friday afternoon there was no sign of possible flooding on the Elbe. The water level in Schöna was exactly 1.47 metres at 4.30 p.m. At the beginning of the week it was not even one metre.
District office warns population
In view of the weather forecast with heavy and persistent rain in southern and eastern parts of Germany, the district office in Pirna has issued a warning to the population and called on them to continue to inform themselves about current weather reports and flood warnings and to take precautions if necessary.
Accordingly, in the event of a threat of flooding, rooms at risk should be cleared out, doors, windows or drains at risk should be sealed, heating and electrical devices in rooms at risk should be secured or switched off, vehicles should be removed from garages or parking lots at risk, and house drainage systems and backflow valves in the basement should be checked. Drivers should also not drive on flooded roads. If a vehicle is in water up to the oil pan or above the wheels, it should not be started under any circumstances.
Current water levels can be seen on the website of the State Flood Center.
