Death toll rises in European floods, authorities say; more rain expected

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Death toll rises in European floods, authorities say; more rain expected

At least seven people have died — five in Romania, one in Poland and one in Austria — since the rains began Friday, according to officials.


Heavy rains and floods tore up houses in Jesenik in the Czech Republic this weekend. (David W Cerny/Reuters)

By Ben Brasch and Praveena Somasundaram
September 15, 2024 at 2:06 p.m. EDT

Catastrophic flooding has killed at least seven people in Central and Eastern Europe, where more severe weather is expected this week.

Floods or heavy snow have hit Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Authorities have evacuated people from homes drenched by rain. Photos show deluged cars, destroyed businesses and stranded people.

The storm, which some forecasters named Boris, was caused by Arctic air sweeping south through Europe and running into warmer air. The weather system also buried many towns in snow.

{snip}


A man clears snow in the Austrian village of Hinterstoder on Saturday. (David Rauscher/AFP/Getty Images)

{snip}


The city center of Glucholazy in southern Poland was overwhelmed by floodwaters Sunday. (Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty Images)

{snip}

By Ben Brasch
Ben Brasch is a general assignment reporter for The Washington Post. He is a third-generation native of St. Petersburg, Florida who spent seven years at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution before joining The Post in October 2022. He brings love of listening everywhere — from a frozen lake in Anchorage, Alaska to a burning landfill in Atlanta.follow on X @ben_brasch

By Praveena Somasundaram
Praveena Somasundaram is a reporter on The Washington Post's General Assignment desk. She started at The Post as an intern in 2022 and has previously reported at the Dallas Morning News and the Charlotte Observer.follow on X @praveenavsoma