Severe storms

Trembling before the next disaster in Thörl

Cellars and gardens were once again flooded in Thörl on Friday night.

(Bild: Feuerwehr St. Ilgen)

Severe storms hit Styria again late on Thursday evening. Once again, the municipality of Thörl in Upper Styria was particularly affected, with more than 100 firefighters once again deployed in disaster operations. There was a particularly dicey incident in the Murtal valley.

"Here we go again." With these words, the St. Ilgen fire department documented the start of operations in the neighboring municipality on Thursday evening.

For many residents of Thörl, it was like a nightmarish déjà vu. After unbelievable amounts of rain left a trail of devastation through the community of 1,700 inhabitants in July, which is still far from being completely cleared up, the heavens opened their floodgates again on Thursday evening.

Once again, the fire departments in the region worked together perfectly. Nine pallets of sandbags were delivered to Thörl from Bruck alone.

(Bild: Feuerwehr Bruck an der Mur)

60 liters in one and a half hours
Another 60 liters of rain per square meter fell in one and a half hours. Far too much for the still soaked soil. Mud and water rose to the surface again, flooding several cellars. The fire departments had to sound the section alarm again. "A total of 107 firefighters were deployed during the night," says Bernd Fladischer, KHD commander for the Bruck section.

Cellars had to be pumped out and hundreds of sandbags were used again to try and prevent the worst from happening. Many Thörl residents are at the end of their tether and are genuinely afraid of further storms - and that is only understandable when you recall the catastrophic images from July.

Impressive solidarity
Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as the previous month. "But the population has been sensitized, the soil can no longer absorb anything at the moment, the slightest rain can lead to flooding," explains Fladischer. 

Once again, the cooperation between the fire departments in the region was impressive, "and has been for weeks", as the commander emphasizes. "This cohesion and this great network can only be achieved by the fire department."

Roads and cellars in Oberzeiring were flooded by water.

(Bild: BFV Judenburg)

Road to Lachtal closed
The Florianis in the Mur Valley also had their hands full. The "epicenter" was in Oberzeiring. Several roads were washed out or under water. The road up to Lachtal is still closed due to mudslides and fallen trees. Several cellars in the region had to be pumped out.

100 firefighters also fought against the masses of water in the Mur Valley.

(Bild: BFV Judenburg)

Family trapped by masses of water
A particularly dicey incident occurred in the Oberzeiring district of Tratten. A family of five was surprised by the masses of water in their car and trapped inside. "The family didn't dare to drive any further," reports Nico Schaden from the Judenburg area fire brigade association. The fire department was only just able to rescue the Styrians before they themselves had to retreat due to the water. A total of around 100 firefighters were also deployed in the Mur Valley.