Central Europe is bracing for potentially devastating floods as meteorologists warn of extreme rainfall expected to continue through the weekend. The Czech Republic, in particular, is on high alert as rivers swell and communities prepare for the worst.
In České Budějovice, officials anticipate water levels reaching a 50- to 100-year flood event by Saturday. The Vltava River’s flow is expected to increase dramatically, potentially flooding areas near Long Bridge. Martin Kuba, the governor of the South Bohemian Region, stated that all models indicate peak river flows will occur Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Prague is taking extensive precautions. Firefighters fill sandbags with special machinery, enabling them to prepare 600 double-chamber bags per hour. The Prague Zoo, while not yet evacuating animals due to the stress it would cause, has a detailed flood plan in place and is better prepared than during the devastating floods of 2002 and 2013.
The State Navigation Administration has announced impending navigation bans on sections of the Elbe, Vltava, and Morava rivers. These restrictions will begin Friday evening and extend through the weekend, affecting both commercial and recreational river traffic.
In a show of national preparedness, the Czech Army stands ready to deploy helicopters and engineering units with rescue equipment if needed. This multi-faceted approach demonstrates the country’s commitment to protecting its citizens and infrastructure in the face of this extreme weather event.