The situation is very difficult. The amount of water that has fallen is record-breaking in some places – said Maciej Awiżeń, the governor of Lower Silesia, at the conference. He added that they expect “the most difficult moments” today and tomorrow. The governor also requested help from 500 WOT soldiers, some of whom are already working.
The conference of the Lower Silesian Voivode Maciej Awiżenia and the Mayor of Wrocław Jacek Sutryk took place on Saturday after 8 p.m. The voivode began with an appeal for residents to listen to the services' orders regarding evacuation.
– The situation is very difficult. The amount of water that has fallen is record-breaking in some places. The Eastern Sudetes, the Sudeten Foothills, a huge amount of water is falling there – said Awiżeń
He added that if it weren't for the security measures that have been improved since 2010, “we would already be flooded in many places.”
– At the moment there are local floods, there are threats, but we are able to monitor this water level as much as possible – he said. – Unfortunately, tonight may be very important, very difficult, night and day, because we expect further rainfall and quite heavy rainfall – he added.
Conference of the Lower Silesian VoivodeTVN24
As Awiżeń reported, he requested the help of 500 Territorial Defense soldiers, some of whom are already operating in Legnica, Stronie, Jelenia Góra and many other places. – The challenges are already too big – explained the governor.
He also requested engineering equipment. – For example, the so-called PTSs, i.e. amphibious vehicles that can drive through places where there is already such heavy flooding that, for example, they can evacuate residents – said the governor, adding that they also have helicopters at their disposal.
Further evacuations of residents
The governor also presented statistics. The fire department has intervened in Lower Silesia 1,583 times since 8 a.m. 12,500 residents currently have no electricity.
– There were no breaks in the medium and high voltage lines, these are local incidents that are being removed on an ongoing basis – he added.
Other people living near flooded rivers were also evacuated: Lądek Zdrój – 10 people evacuated, Świerzawa – 10 people, Jelenia Góra – 80 people, these people evacuated themselves, they were mainly tourists who left their summer cottages.
Currently, evacuation is underway from part of Stronie Śląskie – there is no information yet on the number of people. – Stronie is threatened not only by flooding, but the roads are already partially impassable – added the governor.
Evacuations are also possible: in Bardo Śląskie, Mysłakowice, Marciszów, Stronie and perhaps further ones in Lądek Zdrój and in the Kłodzko commune.
Some roads are already impassable
The provincial office issued 500,000 bags to protect water. There were 400 bags left, so the governor requested another 500,000 from the state reserve.
Many county and municipal roads are impassable – residents should contact the city and municipality to see if they can leave. – Although I personally appeal not to leave your place of residence, because you may not be able to return through the road that is flooded – said Awiżen.
DK 33 is flooded on the Kłodzko-Bystrzyca route in Żelazno – the police have designated detours.
The governor added that the services are not recording any environmental threats. – There was flooding in one place, but no sewage outflow was recorded – he said.
– We expect the most difficult moments today and tomorrow – concluded Maciej Awiżeń.
Main image source: TVN24