Clinic festival postponed

Hail and rain thwarted clinic events

Most operations were recorded in northern Burgenland, with two in the district of Güssing.

(Bild: APA/BFKDO GÜSSING)

Severe hailstorms caused enormous damage in Burgenland on Friday afternoon. According to initial surveys by the Austrian hail insurance company, the damage to agriculture amounted to 1.3 million euros. According to the provincial safety center, around 30 fire department operations were recorded. The health festival was also postponed. 

Between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., the fire departments in Burgenland had to be called out a total of 30 times to pump out flooded cellars. Most operations were recorded in northern Burgenland, with two in the district of Güssing.

The Güssing district fire brigade command reported a two-hour operation in Wörterberg, where hail blocked roads and flooded cellars.

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Health festival postponed
What did St. Peter want to prevent? The picnic of the location opponents or the festival of health? Or was he trying to say: Talk to each other! In any case, between 4 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. a storm hit the district of Neusiedl, causing a lot of damage.

Two events were supposed to take place around the planned hospital in Gols. The SPÖ had planned the "Festival of Health" at the site of the future hospital, the citizens' initiative "Yes to the hospital - No to the development of the Golser Wiesäcker" wanted to have a picnic at the Ungerberg lookout point.

However, the weather forecast showed that there could be problems. Just in time for the start of the citizens' initiative's event at 4 pm, the heavens opened the floodgates. Almost 60 liters fell within around 20 minutes. Including: hail.

Although the picnic of the site opponents fell through, they made their point with a poster opposite the tent.

(Bild: Charlotte Titz)

The picture at the "Festival of Health" was completely different: lots of cars and a full tent. Nevertheless, Governor Hans Peter Doskozil, National Councillor Maximilian Köllner and Member of Parliament Kilian Brandstätter decided to cancel the festival. "We don't celebrate when there is flooding all around us," was the unanimous tenor. "Solidarity should prevail here. It doesn't make a good impression if we're having fun here while there are people in Neusiedl am See, Podersdorf am See, Mönchhof and other communities across the country who have to pump out their cellars and fear for their belongings."

Picture of devastation in agriculture
The Austrian hail insurance company shows the extent of the damage in agriculture.

According to initial surveys by the experts, the total damage in agriculture amounts to 1.3 million euros. Private individuals have also lamented their suffering on social media. "Everything is ruined," is one of the comments from Podersdorf. "The painstakingly grown vegetable plants. All destroyed. It happened so quickly that I didn't have a chance to get them to safety."

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The districts of Neusiedl am See and Eisenstadt-Umgebung in particular were devastated. Around 5000 hectares of agricultural land - from arable land to vineyards and orchards - were affected. 

The tent was full, although the festival was postponed to May 25.

(Bild: Charlotte Titz)

The political representatives thanked those present and promised a wonderful festival on May 25.

(Bild: Charlotte Titz)

Health festival becomes a morning pint
Nevertheless, many people sat down in the tent to chat and enjoy sausages and drinks.

The "Festival of Health" will be held again on May 25. However, not in the evening as planned, but as a morning pint. It will start at 11 am. News about the clinic was also announced.