Fears on the Arlberg

Flash floods, mudslides: now a race against time

(Bild: Peter Freiberger)

After the flash floods and mudslides, the clean-up work in St. Anton am Arlberg is in full swing. It really is a race against time, as further heavy rainfall is forecast for the weekend. Tyrolean Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) visited the site and assured those affected of financial support.

Wheelbarrows, shovels, brooms and heavy equipment such as excavators and countless trucks: in St. Anton, the big clean-up after the flash floods and mudslides on Friday evening began on Saturday. Hundreds of emergency services and helpers are in the village.

The debris basins in particular need to be cleared out so that they do not lose their protective function for further possible storms.

Bürgermeister Helmut Mall

Further rainfall forecast
Work is currently underway at no fewer than 26 damage sites, explained Mayor Helmut Mall in the late morning: "The debris basins in particular need to be cleared out so that they do not lose their protective function for further possible storms. A number of cellars also need to be pumped out."

Trail of devastation in St. Anton. Here a Postbus, half of which is covered in mud and debris.

(Bild: Peter Freiberger)

In general, there is great anxiety among those responsible, helpers and the numerous people affected, as further heavy rainfall is forecast, especially on Sunday.

Bridge swept away, several crossings damaged 
A bridge in the village center was swept away by a mudslide. Several bridges outside the town center are also damaged. According to current information, a total of 35 buildings in the municipality have been damaged by the storm - cellars and underground car parks in particular have been affected by flooding.

Province pledges financial support
Governor Anton Mattle and State Councillor for Security Astrid Mair (both ÖVP) were on site on Saturday morning to get an idea of the situation and to thank the emergency services on site. "First of all, we are all very relieved that no one was injured in the storms - that is the most important thing. Nevertheless, the heavy rain caused enormous damage to property: Cars were washed away, cellars flooded, buildings damaged by landslides," says Mattle.

We are offering support to all those who have lost belongings or suffered damage to their buildings.

Landeshauptmann Anton Mattle

Mattle (3rd from left) with the district operations management and other responsible persons at the site inspection in St. Anton am Arlberg

(Bild: Land Tirol/Muigg)

The weather situation will continue to be monitored very closely over the coming hours and days. "We are offering support to all those who have lost belongings or suffered damage to their buildings. With the disaster fund, we can provide targeted financial assistance for such damage after natural disasters," continued Mattle.

Please do not obstruct the emergency services
On Friday evening and in the night to Saturday, there was flooding - in some cases even parked cars were swept away by the masses of water - and mudslides in the entire western area of St. Anton (Mooserkreuz, Stadle district, Oberdorf and in the area of the two traffic circles). "Due to the ongoing clean-up work and the resulting obstructions, we ask you to avoid local traffic at the moment," appeals Mayor Mall.

More pictures of the clean-up work:

Arlberg Pass also closed
Arrivals and departures to St. Anton are still possible from and to the east. However, the connection to Vorarlberg is interrupted after a mudslide blocked the Arlberg road (B197). In addition to the mudslide on the Tyrolean side, the road is currently also closed on the Vorarlberg side. "The duration of the closure cannot yet be estimated. A road connection from Tyrol to Vorarlberg is therefore currently only possible via the Lechtal", according to the state of Tyrol. A briefing was held by the emergency services on Saturday, according to which the Arlberg road in both Tyrol and Vorarlberg will remain closed until Sunday afternoon. A new decision will then be made on how to proceed.

Public bus services are running with restrictions. Rail services are not affected by the storms or the clean-up work.

No lift operations, huts and paths closed
Due to the ongoing alpine dangers following the storm, there are currently no cable car operations in the municipality, according to the state. In addition, the Verwalltal is currently neither accessible nor passable and is therefore completely closed. For this reason, it is also not possible to walk the path towards the Konstanzerhütte. The Wagner Hut remains closed. In addition, several hiking trails are currently closed.