The south of the country is at risk. Local preparations are underway

Attention! At night and tomorrow (12/13.09) intense, torrential rainfall. Possible flooding. Do not approach swollen rivers. Listen to the services' instructions. – we read in the RCB alert for the Silesian, Lower Silesian and Lesser Poland provinces.

A small group of volunteer firefighters are testing their gear to be ready for potential deployments due to weather forecasts. They say they are “battle-hardened” because this is a particularly vulnerable area.

Firefighters inflated two flood sleeves to check their tightness. They say they can be used to protect instead of sandbags.

They also checked the pumps. They are also preparing sandbags, they have piled up about 200-300 of them. They are currently available, they are not distributing them to residents. They assure that if there is such a need, they will go with them to specific addresses. However, the PSP will decide on this.

– We often have weather interventions. This is an area like that. For now, we are monitoring the situation and waiting for guidelines. I remember riding a bike in 1997, as a child, and the water was up to the handlebars – he said in an interview with TVN24.

– The situation with the river level will be such that it will unfortunately be above the alarm level in many places. We will monitor this in individual counties. The alarm level is one thing, the river crossing the riverbed is another and this can also happen, especially above retention reservoirs. Here I would like to draw attention to these local possibilities of flooding – says Maciej Awiżeń, Voivode of Lower Silesia.

The coming days and hours will be crucial, because local flooding is almost certain. – This is not about causing panic, but about building, causing in all of us a good, wise readiness to deal with this situation – emphasizes Jacek Sutryk, Mayor of Wrocław.

Due to the forecasted heavy rainfall in the coming days, in case you need to stock up on sandbags, we would like to inform you that sand and bags to secure your property will be available to you at the upper parking lot at Wielicka Arena (entrance from Narutowicza Street – opposite the chapel above the Lenart Hotel). – we read in the city's announcement. Today (Thursday) from 7 pm to 10 pm, OSP firefighters will be waiting for you at the aforementioned location, who will assist in loading sandbags. – they inform.

Małopolska is a specific area, which is why an extended meeting was held (with local government officials at the district and municipal level) – the aim is to prepare as best as possible against potential losses – he said during a press conference Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, Voivode of Małopolska.

The meeting of the Provincial Crisis Management Team with the participation of representatives of the services, the Army, institutions and local governments (county heads and city presidents) was held on Thursday. Sanitary Inspectorate The provincial level has prepared laboratories and people to test water and tetanus vaccines.

– A crisis team has met to identify those places that are particularly vulnerable to flooding from previous events. Predicted rainfall is at a level of 50-60 percent of what it was in June. This is a preventive measure, there is no reason to worry – says President Jarosław Klimaszewski.

– The Biała River is well below the alarm level, but prevention is better than cure. We are prepared for various events. We are checking manholes and critical areas, issuing dog bags, firefighters are on duty. The heaviest rainfall is expected on Saturday – adds President Klimaszewski for the portal bielskobiała.pl.