In September 2024, a Vb-like weather pattern, where a low-pressure system traveled from the Mediterranean to Central Europe, caused days of torrential rainfall in Austria, resulting in a dramatic flood situation. The hardest-hit areas were Vienna and Lower Austria, which was declared a disaster zone. The Wien River reached a 1,000-year flood level, and the Kamp River in Lower Austria hit a 100-year high. Six people tragically lost their lives, and damages are currently estimated at 1.3 billion euros.
Extreme weather events like these are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Warmer oceans contribute more moisture to the atmosphere, leading to heavier and more persistent rainfall, which increases the vulnerability of many regions to floods. I was on assignment for Neue Zürcher Zeitung and Der Standard, covering the severely affected areas of Vienna, Hadersdorf am Kamp, Stockerau, and Rust in the Tullnerfeld region. Each area faced unique challenges, from urban flash flooding in Vienna to rural inundations and agricultural damage in Lower Austria.
