London - Central and Eastern Europe have been hit hard by torrential rains from Storm Boris, leading to widespread destruction, loss of life, and massive evacuations. At least six people have died, including a firefighter in Austria and a drowning victim in Poland, as countries struggle to deal with the extreme flooding. The storm has been labeled a "1 in 50 year event" by the Czech Ministry of the Environment, with rainfall levels described as unprecedented.
In Austria, the province surrounding Vienna has been declared a disaster zone. The flood rescue efforts tragically claimed the life of a firefighter, and authorities are calling it "an unprecedented extreme situation."
In Poland, the southwestern region of Opole has seen severe flooding. The town of Glucholazy has been overwhelmed by the river Biala Glucholaska, which overflowed its banks, prompting evacuations. Mayor Zofia Owsiaka reported that the town's residents are "scared" as they await relief, with no sign of the rain stopping. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that one person has drowned and that 1,600 people have been evacuated in Lower Silesia. More than 17,000 people in the region are without power, and some areas are experiencing communication blackouts.
In Romania, Storm Boris has claimed four lives in the southeastern region of Galati. The country's Prime Minister confirmed that two others are missing, while the mayor of Slobozia Conachi called the situation "a catastrophe of epic proportions," as 700 homes have been flooded.
The Czech Republic has also been severely impacted, with 51,000 households in the northern regions left without electricity, and flood barriers have been erected in the capital, Prague. A dam burst in the southern Bohemia region, and officials are warning residents of the saturated ground and the risk of further flash floods. Football matches have been canceled as the country braces for continued rainfall until Tuesday.
Why Is Storm Boris So Devastating?
Storm Boris has brought extreme rainfall due to its unique positioning. Colder air from the north has mixed with moisture drawn up from the unusually warm Mediterranean and Black Sea waters. This combination, coupled with the storm being stuck in a 'blocked weather pattern,' has resulted in prolonged downpours over the same areas.
The Czech Republic has experienced some of the heaviest rainfall, with 288mm recorded at Lysa Hora in the western mountains since Thursday—equivalent to three months' worth of rain in just three days.
Leaders across the affected countries have pointed to climate change as a contributing factor to the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis remarked, "We are again facing the effects of climate change, which are increasingly present on the European continent, with dramatic consequences."
Experts agree. After the extreme flooding in Europe in 2021, the World Weather Attribution Network concluded that the likelihood and intensity of such flooding events are rising as the climate warms.
In Poland, firefighters have been building sandbag barriers to protect homes near rivers. A Blackhawk helicopter has been deployed to the city of Wroclaw, where many residents have been evacuated, and residents in high-rise blocks are relying on staircases due to lifts being shut for safety.
Prime Minister Tusk has urged cooperation with emergency services, saying, "The situation is critical, but we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of residents."