Flood situation worsens in Jesenicko and Frýdlantsko, mobile networks affected
The flood crisis in the Czech Republic continues to escalate, with the most critical conditions observed in Jesenicko (Olomouc region) and Frýdlantsko (Liberec region).
As of Saturday morning, flood warnings have been issued at around 170 locations, and new alerts are expected to follow. The third flood alert level, signaling a state of emergency, has been declared at approximately 40 sites across 20 rivers.
Severe weather causes power outages and rising river levels
Heavy rainfall and strong winds have left more than 60,000 households without electricity, particularly in northern Bohemia. The continuous rain since Friday night has significantly raised water levels in rivers across the country.
The regions of Jesenicko and Frýdlantsko are facing the most severe flooding, with rivers spilling over their banks. The impact of the floods is being felt across other regions as well, where waterlogged roads and overflowing rivers are causing widespread disruption. Numerous homes remain without power, especially in northern Bohemia.
Transportation impacted by floods and high winds
Rail services have been suspended on several lines due to fallen trees and unsafe weather conditions. Some roads have also become impassable due to flooding. Emergency services expect conditions to deteriorate further, as heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to continue throughout the day.
Firefighters respond to over 1,100 incidents
Firefighters have been on high alert, responding to over 1,100 incidents nationwide. Over 100,000 professional and volunteer firefighters have been deployed to assist with flood defenses, evacuations, and clearing debris from roads. In addition to flood-related emergencies, they are also responding to fires, traffic accidents, and other critical situations.
In Jesenicko, rivers such as the Černý Potok and Vidnavka have reached the highest flood levels, with water levels continuing to rise. In the town of Mikulovice, the Bělá River has overflowed, prompting the deployment of 60 firefighters with boats to assist in rescues and evacuations. Although several homes have been flooded, residents have yet to opt for evacuation.
Mobile networks suffer local outages
Mobile networks are experiencing localized outages in dozens of areas, particularly in northeastern and southern Bohemia. These problems are largely due to power outages. In regions like Trutnovsko, the Krkonoše Mountains, and the Šumava range, electricity providers have been struggling to restore services.
Vodafone has reported outages in around 40 locations, mainly in Trutnovsko, where the restoration of power has been delayed. T-Mobile and O2 have also reported issues in areas such as Vrchlabí, Ústí nad Labem, and Liberecko. All companies are working to restore services as quickly as possible, using backup batteries and generators to support their infrastructure.
The Village of Višňová Is Cut Off
In northern Bohemia, the Frýdlantsko region is particularly affected. The Smědá River has reached the highest flood alert level in towns like Frýdlant and Raspenava, as well as in Višňová, which has been cut off from the rest of the region due to flooding. Roads are underwater, and the situation is deteriorating. Two people have been evacuated from their homes, though most residents have not yet opted to leave.
Elsewhere in the country, areas like Pardubice are preparing for potential evacuations, while southern Bohemia and Moravia are grappling with rising water levels in rivers such as the Blanice and Svratka. Emergency services remain on high alert as further rainfall is expected.
