A storm hit the Karlsruhe area hard on Tuesday evening. Streets were temporarily under water. Clean-up work has begun in Bruchsal and Gondelsheim.
After the heavy storms on Tuesday evening and flooding in the Karlsruhe district, emergency services in the Bruchsal area are still in constant operation. In Bruchsal, emergency services began clean-up work in the morning. In Gondelsheim and in the Bruchsal district of Heidelsheim, numerous cellars have to be pumped out, according to the fire service.
Power cut off for safety reasons
The city has cut off the electricity in some streets for safety reasons. The telephone and cell phone network in the Bruchsal area is also currently affected. Many people have been rescued from tricky situations, says Bernd Molitor from the fire department. There are currently more than 400 operations still open.
In addition to Gondelsheim and Bruchsal, Karlsdorf-Neuthard is now also the focus of the fire brigade and the THW. Sandbags have been installed on the Saalbach relief canal to protect a residential area, the Karlsruhe district fire brigade association announced. In the municipality of Forst, emergency services were able to prevent a forest fire after a kiosk at Heidesee caught fire.
This is what it looks like the morning after the storm in Gondelsheim:
Floodwaters were in streets and underpasses
On Tuesday evening, the water was over half a meter high on the streets or in underpasses in several places, according to a police spokesman. Gondelsheim and Bruchsal were particularly affected. In the morning, the residents of Gondelsheim are still feeling the effects of the night.
It was terrible because it started harmlessly. And when I thought it was over, it really started when the masses of water came down the street. And then everything in my house was flooded.
Water masses move from Gondelsheim to Bruchsal
The storm first hit the community of Gondelsheim in the Karlsruhe district. As a fire department spokesman announced in the evening, “absolute chaos” reigned in Gondelsheim. According to the fire department, one helper was injured while transporting sandbags. The Saalbach river overflowed its banks and washed the water through the streets towards Bruchsal.
In the local district of Heidelsheim (Karlsruhe district), the flood situation worsened shortly after midnight. The “Nina” warning app called on residents to evacuate basements and ground floors in certain areas and to seek higher floors. The storm also caused damage in the Helmsheim district.
We have rescued many people from tricky situations and are happy that no one has been hurt so far.
A similar development was also expected for the city center of Bruchsal. Areas around the train station and Wiesenstraße were affected. Since Tuesday evening, the city of Bruchsal has also been warning the population on its website: “Attention – stay at home,” it said.
SWR reporter Matthias Stauss on the situation at night in Bruchsal:
Bruchsal Mayor Petzold-Schick: “100-year flood”
Bruchsal’s mayor Cornelia Petzold-Schick (Greens) expressed concern about the current flood situation last night. “Overall, the situation is very dramatic because we have now found ourselves in a situation that we were not prepared for at the beginning of this evening.” The floodwaters rose in a matter of minutes.
Shortly after midnight, the flood situation in the Bruchsal district of Heidelsheim worsened. SWR
We had a mark of 1.90 metres earlier, which is basically equivalent to a 100-year flood.
According to Petzold-Schick, over 400 emergency calls were received. Buildings had to be evacuated because the water masses caused power problems and in some cases short circuits. In some cases, the power had to be deliberately switched off, for example in the Heidelsheim district. Two helpers from the public are said to have been injured, but it is still unclear how seriously.
In Bruchsal, some streets are flooded after the storm on Tuesday evening. SWR
Storm in northern Baden: extent of damage still unclear
Until the water has drained away, people should stay at home or in safe areas and not stay in the flooded areas. A crisis team met in Bruchsal until the early morning. All firefighters are deployed, primarily to save lives and eliminate life-threatening situations, the city announced.
Forces from the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief and the DLRG, as well as the road maintenance departments, were also deployed. The emergency services will also have to deal with the question of how to pump the water out of residents’ basements. This was partially contaminated by destroyed oil heating systems.
Heavy rain and flooding: How should I behave?
Flooding can be life-threatening for those affected. Children and people with disabilities should therefore be brought to safety from the flood area, according to the Flood risk management Baden-WürttembergIn addition, people should not go into cellars or underground garages under any circumstances. People should also not drive through flooded streets, as vehicles could float and the occupants’ lives could be in danger.
Restrictions on rail traffic from Bruchsal to Bretten
Rail traffic has also been affected by the storm. The station area in Bruchsal was temporarily closed due to flooding, which is why rail traffic was suspended. According to the city of Bruchsal, one track is now open again. However, according to Deutsche Bahn, restrictions are still in place.
Baden-Wurttemberg
German Weather Service severe weather warning for Baden-Württemberg
Severe weather is possible in parts of Baden-Württemberg. The German Weather Service is providing ongoing information.