Posted on 08/25/2005 3:50:35 AM PDT by Our_Man_In_Gough_Island
Rescue operations are continuing across Europe to help thousands of civilians affected by devastating floods which have killed 36 people. In the Swiss capital, Bern, helicopters were used to pluck people from rooftops as rising water and strong currents hampered evacuations.
Worst affected is Romania, where seven elderly people were killed on Wednesday bringing deaths there to 25.
The rain has eased in some parts, but forecasters warn there is more ahead.
Click here for map showing flood-hit countries At least 11 people are reported dead or missing in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, where the authorities are struggling to restore basic services.
Thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes in recent days and move to higher ground. Many are still unable to return.
The elderly Romanians were swept away by swollen rivers , AFP news agency reported.
Floods inundated about 1,400 houses in central parts of the country.
Elsewhere in Europe:
In Bavaria, some flood defences have collapsed, allowing water to flood through streets and into homes; authorities evacuated patients at the city of Neu-Ulm after the Danube burst its banks
In Bulgaria, where floods have killed at least 20 people and left 14,000 homeless over the past three months, torrential rains flooded the north-western region of Montana
In Moldova torrential rain has damaged homes and other property near the capital Chisinau
Torrential rain in Slovenia has washed out roads in several towns in central and eastern districts. Croatia has declared a state of emergency along the Mura river, on the border with Slovenia, where it is shoring up flood defences.
Helicopter rescue
At least four people have died and two are missing in Switzerland, where floods have affected an area stretching from the Bernese Alps to St Gallen in the north-east.
Many Alpine valleys in Bavaria and Austria have also been under water.
Reader's before and after images of a swollen river, Switzerland
More than 1,000 Swiss have been evacuated, along with hundreds more in Austria and Germany.
In Bern, the River Aare burst its banks flooding parts of the historic old town.
The authorities used helicopters to rescue people from roofs and balconies as rising waters and strong currents made the use of boats risky.
Parts of the resorts of Lucerne and Interlaken were also flooded. Many popular mountain holiday villages have been completely cut off.
Mudslides have blocked roads and railway tracks.
And the forecast was not good. "It will get worse before it gets better," police spokesman Franz Maerki said.
Shock
In Austria, floods caused chaos in the west of the country, leaving three people dead and one missing.
But rain stopped overnight and an interior ministry spokesman said the worst was over.
About 17,000 firefighters helped by soldiers are involved in the rescue and repair work.
Lechtal Valley in Tirol and the Kleinwalsertal Valley in Vorarlberg have been particularly badly affected.
Water rose up to five metres (16ft) outside the house of Ernst Cavegn.
"I grew up in this house. My parents built it when I was three years old, and now everything is destroyed," the Associated Press news agency quoted him as saying.
"My wife is in shock. She won't say a word."
Euro trash. If it is bad and happens to europe does anyone really care?
God help them.
Calling all Global Warming nuts.....
Somehow someway this will be blamed on the USA....wait and see.
Specifically, George Bush, Karl Rove and Halliburton...
right, same when something bad happens over there
Well, I care. Many of the people affected by this flooding have supported us, including Rumania. And even if they didn't, I don't like to see people lose their homes.
The Tirol sure is pretty. I was there last year in August and the day we drove north to Holland, it was raining, but only a light mist.
I am sure the Greens will blame this on our use of oil.
Quite possibly the stupidest post ever to appear on Free Republic. If not the prize winner, at least up for honorable mention.
"Well, I care. Many of the people affected by this flooding have supported us, including Rumania. And even if they didn't, I don't like to see people lose their homes."
I care too. It's a terrible tragedy which they don't deserve.
They're all God's kids, and most of them probably don't have a thing against us. Many of those that do are victims of the propaganda crusades of those over them.
Yep - some of us do care and send prayers. I try to imagine how it would feel if it were happening to me; this would absolutely suck.
You should change your login to "Nice American"......
Last year we got hit by 2 hurricanes in 10 days. I didn't hear anyone from europe giving a damn for any of that.
Didn't see any of the European posters on FR taking the time to say "Why should i care" either....
That's such a terrible thing to say. People in Europe are like us, you know - the good, the bad, and the ugly. I've been to Europe a few times and have met wonderful and lovely people (of course I've met some real creeps too, but I can drive over to the local grocery store in my neighborhood and come across creeps there too!)
In the meantime, I've been to Interlaken, Lucerne and Berne and these are beautiful, historic towns. Just stunningly beautiful in the Interlaken area... I have the best memories of there. These people have lost homes and memories and it is no different when people in the US suffer. How about some compassion Joe? Eh?
Well Joe, we did give a damn. People prayed for you, the people that were homeless and the injured. Unfortunately, we cannot do much but watch. If we help, we are in the way, or told to get the F*** out of the way. If we do nothing. We dont give a damn.
People losing homes and families is a tragedy no matter where you are, who you are, or where you come from. A home is precious.
And during your time of desperation, if you were to have asked anyone in Europe that visits freerepublic (and there is a few of us) it would have been given to you as fast as possible.
Europe aint all bad.
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