Snow water, storms

Water level rises: Innsbruck prepares for flooding

The water rescue service - here in Innsbruck - is prepared. The number of personnel has been increased.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

The heat of the past few days has caused a lot of melt water in Tyrol, and heavy thunderstorms and storms are also forecast from Friday. In Innsbruck, for example, the Inn has already exceeded the five-year flood mark before even a drop of rain has fallen. Protective measures are now being introduced. The state is also on alert.

In the early hours of Friday morning, the level of the Inn was already at HW5 - the value for a statistical five-year flood. "In the afternoon hours, due to a severe weather warning for the central area of Innsbruck, among others, heavy storm to gale-force gusts and heavy rain are to be expected in some areas. A rise in the water level to HW30 is possible," warned the city in a press release.

Flood protection elements have already been set up at the Kettenbrücke Sanatorium, among other places.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof/Krone KREATIV)

Municipal task force met
The emergency management team met in the provincial capital at midday. The forecast situation is still "diffuse", spokeswoman Katharina Rudig told APA afterwards. The water level could also rise slightly above a 30-year flood, she said. In any case, the water rescue team has been prepared and its staffing levels have been increased.

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Increased caution outdoors
"In any case, we are already asking the population to keep a close eye on the weather situation in general, to move movable objects from outdoors to indoors and to close doors and windows," says Mayor Johannes Anzengruber.

We ask the population to keep a close eye on the weather situation.

Innsbrucks Bürgermeister Johannes Anzengruber

Bild: Birbaumer Christof

Caution is also required when spending time outdoors and in nature: "Gale-force winds can cause trees to fall. Please stay away from the banks of the Inn and Sill rivers," said the head of the town.

State also warns of floods and storms
The state of Tyrol is also on alert due to the forecasts and water levels. A thunderstorm warning had already been issued for Friday.

Flood protection was installed in Rattenberg on Friday.

(Bild: ZOOM Tirol)

Some parts of the Inn were already overflowing. Like here near Rotholz on a cycle path.

(Bild: ZOOM Tirol/Krone KREATIV)

Geosphere Austria issued an "orange" warning level, the third highest on the four-level scale. According to forecasts, the main areas affected are the central area of Innsbruck and the Tyrolean lowlands. "In some areas, large hail and heavy gales to gale-force gusts as well as heavy rain are possible."

Melting snow and heavy rain
"The heavy snowmelt, especially in the Swiss Engadine and in the Tyrolean Oberland, is already leading to increased water flow on the Inn," explained Markus Federspiel, head of the state's water management department, on Friday afternoon. From the afternoon until Saturday morning, heavy rainfall is also expected along the main Alpine ridge.

As things stand, another storm front with heavy rainfall is forecast for the night from Saturday to Sunday.

Land Tirol

Up to 80 liters per square meter of precipitation are forecast - locally the rain may be even heavier. In addition, another storm front with heavy rainfall is currently forecast for the night from Saturday to Sunday. 

Current water levels

Current water levels are always available on the "Hydro Online" website of the province of Tyrol:

https:// hydro.tirol.gv.at/#/Wasserstand?station=201525

HW30 or even more possible
In terms of flooding, the Inn, Sanna, Ötztaler Ache and Sill rivers and their tributaries are at risk. Depending on the course of the storms, a 30-year flood (HW30) or even more is possible.

Possible storms could also lead to local power outages, road closures or even delays and cancellations in public transport.