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Austria Today

Austrian news in English

Friday, September 20, 2024

Record Rainfall in Vienna Causes Chaos

Published: 2024-08-17

Vienna faced unprecedented weather chaos as record-breaking rainfall hit the city, causing severe flooding and power outages.

On Saturday afternoon, 93 liters of rain per square meter were recorded in Hohen Warte, setting a new August record.

Streets and underpasses were quickly submerged, leaving vehicles stranded and residents in danger.

In one dramatic incident, a "Krone" reporter, Ed Ricker, rescued a young man trapped in his car on Gunoldstraße, demonstrating remarkable courage.

The deluge also led to power outages affecting over 2,200 households and disrupted public transport services.

Emergency services were stretched thin, responding to numerous incidents across the city, including a near-tragic situation where a medical student narrowly escaped rising waters in his basement.

The city's infrastructure struggled to cope with the sudden and intense downpour, highlighting the challenges posed by extreme weather events.