Austrian flood threat
Thursday June 25, 2009 - Email this article to a friend

Heavy rain has hit the north side of the Alps causing flooding, road closures and the cancellation of some rail services.

The Albertina Museum in Vienna had to move over 100 works of art after water leaked into a storage area and threatened priceless items of art including works by Michelangelo.

The museum’s roof has now been covered by a waterproof material to prevent flooding.

We reported on the flooding threat yesterday on PlanetSKI and earlier in the week how the bad weather meant some ski resorts had received snow in June.

10,000 soldiers are on stand-by to help should the emergency services be unable to cope. The worst weather is set for Friday.

500 firemen have begun security operations with parts of Upper and Lower Austria most at risk.

Some areas have received over 80 litres of rain per square metre in 24 hours, which the Central Agency for Meteorology and Geodynamics says occurs only once every 50 years.

Much of the water is falling in the Alps and then swelling the rivers leading down the valley.

The snow though has meant some of the glacier ski resorts in the country will be in good condition for skiing and snowboarding once the weather passes.

Bookmark this page

Related Articles