Floods in Saxony reach alert level 1

The flood situation in Saxony is worsening again. On Saturday, flood warnings were issued for the Elbe, Black and Lower White Elster river basins, according to an overview from the state flood center. In Dresden, the Elbe was expected to rise to over four meters during the course of the day, exceeding the alert level 1 mark. Alert level 1 is the lowest of four warning levels.

The hydrologists expected the Elbe in the Saxon state capital to rise further to around 4.80 meters by Sunday. Two meters is normal for the Elbe in Dresden. Upstream in Schöna on the Czech border, an alert level 1 was already in place on Saturday.

The development in the neighboring Czech Republic is decisive for the flood situation on the Elbe in Saxony. The upper reaches of the Elbe are 95 percent fed by the large Czech catchment area of the Vltava and Elbe, and the water arrives in Germany with a delay of several hours. The Elbe has already been carrying more water than usual since the beginning of the week following heavy rainfall in the Giant and Isar Mountains.

Hydrologists also warned of the development of the flood situation on the Black Elster and the Lower White Elster. As rain is again forecast for Sunday in Saxony, water levels could rise rapidly on these rivers, the State Flood Center announced.