In danger: Głogów braces for flood disaster
Intensity of Flooding Soars as Tide Overflows Głogów Townshire
The waters rise as the town of Głogów battles destructive floodwaters from the Odra River. The town, located in the Lower Silesian region, is under threat as the river's level hovers dangerously close to critical heights. At 5:00 PM on Sunday, the river stood at 685 cm, just a few centimeters below the alarming peak of 689 cm. Głogów's mayor, Rafael Rokaszewicz, echoed the ongoing peril, stating, "Everything is still extremely dire."
A town on the edge
The small district of Ostrów Tumski within Głogów is a critical location. Emergency crews, consisting of firefighters and Territorial Defense Force soldiers, have been working around the clock to repair weakened levee sections. As recently as Sunday, they had patched up a leaking levee, reinforcing the urgent situation.
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The peak of the flood wave from the Odra River is expected to pass through Głogów from Sunday night into Monday. With 208 square kilometers at stake, water levels have reached 654 cm and are predicted to rise to 7 meters. The levees, standing at 7.15-7.20 meters, face the real risk of overflow.#powódź#powodź2024pic.twitter.com/fYui5hmNLP
Nearby rural municipalities around Głogów face even greater danger. Decades of underinvestment have left their flood defenses vulnerable to collapse. "We are fighting tooth and nail," Rokaszewicz reminded, "These levees haven't seen upgrades in decades."
Ally in the battle
The local response to the flood has seen a united effort from residents, fire brigades, and military personnel. Volunteers have been filling sandbags, reinforcing flood barriers, and evacuating those most at risk. In Głogów itself, streets are submerged, and water is rising through the drainage system, putting additional stress on flood pumps.
At one of the city's most endangered points, near Ostrów Tumski, firefighters have been battling to drain floodwaters from overflowing sewage systems. As floodwaters seep into storm drains, the risk of further inundation looms large. The desperate fight against the rising water has been compared to a race against time, with the next two days expected to be critical. "The surge will decrease slightly, but the water will remain high for two days. That's an enormous risk for the levees and their structural integrity," Rokaszewicz warned.
Two rivers, one threat
The danger is exacerbated by backflow from the Czarna River, a tributary that feeds into the Odra. The backflow has already flooded several homes in Głogów, particularly on Osadników Street in the Nosocice district. The troubling conditions on the Czarna River have become the primary worry for many residents, as water levels continue to rise with the backflow effect.
"The most challenging situation is not on the Odra itself, but on the Czarna River," stated Rokaszewicz. "The backflow has flooded several houses. Despite our preparations - delivering sand and bags to residents and setting up evacuation zones - the water still breached certain areas."
Residents impacted by the flood have been evacuated to safer locations, while emergency shelters have been established for the displaced. In anticipation of the surge, authorities provided sandbags and coordinated evacuation plans, but for some areas, defenses have proven insufficient. Local officials continue to monitor the situation closely, hoping to prevent further destruction as they await the passing of the flood peak.
Preparing for the future
Immediate efforts are focused on damage control, but local leaders are already thinking ahead. "We have reached a point where emergency measures are no longer enough," Rokaszewicz asserted. "These levees should have been upgraded years ago. Now, we are paying the price for those delays."
As floodwaters slowly recede in the coming days, authorities will be assessing the devastation and determining the scope of recovery needed. For now, they remain focused on holding back the water and protecting as many homes as possible. "In this battle against the flood surge, we are not yet victorious," Rokaszewicz stated. "The fight continues."
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- The rising floodwaters from the Odra River are posing a significant threat to the town of Głogów, with the river's level reaching 685 centimeters, just a few centimeters shy of a critical peak.
- The small district of Ostrów Tumski within Głogów is a critical location, with emergency crews working tirelessly to repair weakened levee sections and prevent flooding.
- Nearby rural municipalities around Głogów face even greater danger, as underinvestment in flood defenses leaves them vulnerable to collapse.
- The local response to the flood has been a united effort from residents, fire brigades, and military personnel, working together to fill sandbags, reinforce flood barriers, and evacuate those most at risk.
- At one of the city's most endangered points, near Ostrów Tumski, firefighters are battling to drain floodwaters from overflowing sewage systems, as the risk of further inundation looms large.
- The danger is exacerbated by backflow from the Czarna River, a tributary that feeds into the Odra. Residents impacted by the flood have been evacuated to safer locations, while emergency shelters have been established for the displaced.
- Local leaders are already thinking ahead, acknowledging that emergency measures are no longer enough and that the levees should have been upgraded years ago. After the floodwaters recede, authorities will assess the devastation and determine the scope of recovery needed.
