Severe flooding in the region of Lower Austria has led to significant destruction, including the loss of homes and lives. On September 16, 2024, emergency services in Atzenbrugg near Sankt Pölten struggled to manage the aftermath of a dam failure on the Perschling River, which resulted in water levels rising dramatically.
Throughout the previous day, streams that typically flow gently surged with up to 270 liters of water per second, overwhelming local infrastructure. Residents of a solar-powered wooden house were forced to evacuate, with emergency services unable to save their home. Evacuated families are currently being housed in a local school as more than 40 roads remain blocked due to flood damage.
The death toll has risen to three, with victims caught off guard by the rapidly rising waters while attempting to pump water from their basements. Although many waterways have returned to normal levels, the flooding has left a trail of devastation, including damaged orchards and disrupted sewage systems, prompting the deployment of mobile toilets in affected communities.