St. Pölten Celebrates Resilience After Devastating Floods

Heroism and Hope: St. Pölten Reflects on Flood Disaster Recovery

The spirit of volunteerism shone brightly in Lower Austria during the devastating floods of September. State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, speaking at the opening of “Christmas in the Park” – a festive project organized by the St. Pölten-Stadt fire departments – lauded the heroic efforts of the region’s volunteer firefighters.

“The flood disaster showed us that the Lower Austrian security family works effectively, and the volunteer fire department is truly the heart of disaster control,” Mikl-Leitner said. An extraordinary 95,000 volunteers dedicated themselves to battling the floodwaters and leading cleanup efforts, demonstrating unwavering courage and compassion.

Mikl-Leitner recalled visiting numerous communities in the aftermath of the disaster. “Behind every door, there was a story, many facing the ruins of their existence,” she shared. “It was about offering encouragement, about working together politically to provide immediate financial assistance, giving people back perspective and hope.”

“The flood disaster was the largest showcase of the volunteer fire department that has ever existed,” Mikl-Leitner emphasized, acknowledging the crucial support provided by fire departments from other states. While 524 of the 573 communities in Lower Austria were impacted, the governor vowed resilience. “Our goal is to make Lower Austria the jewel box it was before the flood disaster,” she stated. “The solidarity that was shown can make us proud.”

St. Pölten’s Mayor Matthias Stadler echoed these sentiments. He recalled over 1,300 active firefighters from both volunteer and professional departments in St. Pölten who responded tirelessly to the crisis. "We can always rely on them, 365 days a year, at any time of the day or night," Stadler affirmed.

State Fire Brigade Commander Dietmar Fahrafellner highlighted the scale of the response, drawing comparisons with disaster situations in other countries.

“We had 25,000 firefighters on site during the first weekend alone, and a total of 60,000 were deployed,” he revealed. “We will always be there when the population needs us.”

The “Christmas in the Park” event, held in the Sparkasse Park, served as a celebration of community resilience and a beacon of hope for the future. Amidst festive lights and warm cheer, the memory of the disaster was acknowledged, but so too was the unwavering spirit of the volunteers who responded with unfailing bravery and dedication. Their commitment has left a lasting legacy, reminding everyone of the importance of community, compassion, and the power of hope in overcoming even the bleakest of circumstances.

• ‍What specific‍ initiatives are being implemented to support the emotional well-being of families affected ⁢by the floods in St. Pölten?

## Interview: From Tragedy to Triumph in ​St. Pölten

**Host:** Governor Mikl-Leitner, thank you for joining us today. It’s been several ​months since the devastating floods hit Lower Austria. How is⁣ St. Pölten ‍and the surrounding communities coping with the ⁤aftermath?

**Governor Mikl-Leitner:** The floods were undeniably a terrible tragedy, leaving⁤ behind significant damage and heartbreak. However, what we’ve seen since then is nothing ⁢short of inspiring. The resilience of the people of Lower Austria is truly remarkable.

**Host:** You’ve spoken about the incredible work of the volunteer firefighters. Can ‍you elaborate on that?

**Governor Mikl-Leitner:** Absolutely. The ‍volunteer fire department is the backbone of our disaster response. When​ the floodwaters⁢ swept through our region, ⁣these brave men and women were⁣ on‍ the frontlines, rescuing people, battling‍ the currents, and doing⁢ everything ​in their power to protect lives and property. Ninety-five thousand volunteers⁣ dedicated their time and energy during the‍ crisis. It was a truly extraordinary ​show of courage and compassion. [[1](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flooding-europe-blamed-for-24-deaths-as-eu-promises-11-billion-in-emergency-repair-funding/)]

**Host:** ⁣ What are some of the challenges that the affected ‌communities are​ still facing?

**Governor Mikl-Leitner:** The journey to recovery is long. Many families lost everything – their homes, their belongings, their sense of security. The emotional toll is immense. We are committed to providing them with the support they need, both physically and emotionally.

**Host:** And what message of hope would⁢ you like to share​ with ⁤the people of St. Pölten?

**Governor Mikl-Leitner:** We will rebuild, stronger than before. The spirit of community spirit shown⁣ during this crisis has been truly inspiring. We will continue ⁤to support each other, and ‌together,⁣ we will overcome this challenge.