Central Europe is in crisis as its worst floods in over 20 years devastate entire communities. Extreme rainfall, which began last week, has already claimed 24 lives. Families are dealing with the destruction of their homes and livelihoods. Rivers are swelling, towns and villages are submerged, bridges have been destroyed, and cars are buried under mud and debris. Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, and Romania are among the hardest hit. Caritas is working with local communities to provide urgent relief and support.

Poland is facing devastating floods across the regions of Dolnośląskie, Opolskie, Śląskie, and Małopolskie. Six lives have been lost, and many towns and villages have been flooded. Dams and bridges have been destroyed, and infrastructure damage has left many communities cut off. The Opolskie Voivodeship is facing some of the worst conditions, with the father Director of the respective diocese, Rev. Arnold Drechsler, reporting on Sunday (15th September 2024), that 40 out of 400 parishes have been directly affected by the flooding. Many cities are submerged, and local authorities have issued evacuation orders in many areas. So far, over 3,000 people have been evacuated from the affected areas. Local government emergency teams are coordinating interventions, and Caritas Polska is responding with essential support. They have set up a crisis management team to organize relief efforts, delivering basic necessities, tools for clean-up, water, food, hygiene products, dehumidifiers, power generators, and bedding sets.

Flooding has severely impacted Moravia. Caritas Czech Republic has launched a nationwide appeal to raise funds for ongoing relief efforts. “We are actively monitoring the situation and cooperating with the integrated Rescue System, we are ready to provide targeted assistance. This is both in the area of immediate volunteering and material assistance, providing psychosocial assistance or crisis interventions, as well as in the sphere of the subsequent financial assistance for the public collection,” said Mgr. Vit Kraus, National Emergency Coordinator for Caritas Czech Republic.

In Austria, the flooding has left the Lower Austria region in a state of emergency, claiming five lives. Villages have been cut off, residents evacuated, and widespread power cuts are affecting large areas. Fallen trees are making things even worse, adding to the damage and making an already dangerous situation even more difficult. Many communities have declared civil defense alerts, with more flooding expected. Caritas Austria is working hard to ensure aid reaches those affected as conditions continue to change.

Slovakia has suffered significant damage, and Caritas Slovakia is in areas like Čadca, helping flood victims by providing essential supplies like water and disinfectant. With rivers overflowing, everything has been left waterlogged. Donors have raised €280,000 to support affected families. Miroslav Dzurech, General Secretary of Caritas Slovakia, expressed deep gratitude: “I wholeheartedly thank everyone who has contributed to help the flood victims. At a time when people have lost nearly everything they owned, the immense strength of human solidarity has shone through. Your support is not only material aid for them, but also a sign of hope that they are not alone.” The funds are being used to provide food, clean water, and hygiene products to families in urgent need.

In Romania, the south-eastern province of Galați has been heavily affected by torrential rain. Rainfall of up to 250 l/m² began on September 14th, turning small streams into powerful currents. Floodwaters swept through villages and farmland, causing major damage. Over 5,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, and more than 20,000 people have been affected. Roads, bridges, and train lines have been severely damaged, making access difficult. Many traditional clay-brick homes have collapsed, and livestock and agricultural equipment have been lost. Caritas Romania is providing immediate support with shelter, food, and essential assistance. A team visited Pechea and Berești on September 18th, coordinating with local authorities to provide clean-up tools, bedding sets, and materials for home repairs.

As the Danube River swells beyond the third-degree alert level, Hungary is being hit by severe flooding in many areas. Caritas Hungary has set aside 10 million HUF (over 25,000 EUR) for emergency supplies and damage control. In Nagybajcs, they’ve set up a disaster relief base to respond quickly and help with recovery once the waters recede. Volunteers from the Dioceses of Győr and Vác are working to fill sandbags and hand out water and food to those working to protect homes from the rising waters. Bishop Zsolt Marton of Vác has provided accommodation for the professionals involved in the defense efforts and has blessed the soldiers. Caritas Pécs is working with other aid organizations, including the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service and the Red Cross, to keep supporting flood-affected areas.