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Germany: Floods hit large parts of Saarland

May 17, 2024

Much of the German state of Saarland is struggling with flash flooding caused by heavy rains. So far, no one has been injured.

https://p.dw.com/p/4g19e
Passersby trudge and drive through floodwaters on Fischbachstrasse in Saarbrücken, Germany
It rained almost non-stop in Saarbrücken on FridayImage: Harald Tittel/dpa/picture alliance

Large parts of the German state of Saarland were hit by flooding on Friday. Fortunately, no one has been injured so far, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.

The ministry spoke of a "widespread flooding situation" with a focus on the southeastern part of the state. In the cities, the situation was tense in the state capital of Saarbrücken, in Saarbrücken-Russhütte, in Eppelborn, Neunkirchen, Gersweiler, St. Wendel, Saarlouis and Merzig.

Inflatable boats are ready at the police cordon in Fischbachstrasse in Saarbrücken
The Saarland state capital Saarbrücken is affected by floodingImage: Harald Tittel/dpa/picture alliance

In some places, residents had to be moved from apartments in isolated streets. Some nursing homes, such as one in Marpingen, also had to be evacuated.

Severe rain warnings were in effect for much of the west of the country on Friday, but Saarland ended up bearing the brunt of the downpour.

Due to the severe flooding in Saarland, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz canceled a European Parliament election campaign appointment planned for Saturday in the state. Instead, he will visit parts of Saarland with state Premier Anke Rehlinger to get an idea of the situation on the ground, regional government spokesman Julian Lange said.

The A620 is closed near the Luisenbrücke bridge due to flooding in Saarbrücken
Many roads, including the A620 Autobahn in Saarbrücken, were inundated and closedImage: Harald Tittel/dpa/picture alliance

100 liters of rain per square meter in less than 24 hours

The German Weather Service (DWD) recorded massive rainfall in the Saarland on Friday, for which rivers and infrastructure were not prepared.

By 7 p.m., 107 liters per square meter had fallen in Saarbrücken-Ensheim and Berus in the Saarlouis district, the DWD meteorologist said on request. That equates to 10.7 centimeters or roughly 4.2 inches of rain measured vertically.

In Tholey in the St. Wendel district, 103 liters per square meter had fallen, in Saarbrücken Burbach 100 liters.

For comparison, In the entire month of April last year, about 74 liters of rain per square meter were measured on average in Saarland, and that was one-sixth more precipitation than normal for that month.

The heavier showers are expected to subside in the coming hours, the DWD meteorologist said Friday evening. However, the DWD warned of extremely heavy continuous rain in the Saarland until 2 a.m. on Saturday morning.

dh/msh (dpa, AFP)