As expected, increasingly violent gusts of wind are approaching Styria: 10,000 households are currently without electricity – trees are constantly falling down, blocking roads and keeping the fire brigades busy. In the mountains, there are already peaks of up to 120 km/h! In the north of Styria, heavy rain is also expected.
“It’s a game of hole after hole,” says Urs Harnik, spokesman for Energie Steiermark. “Hurricane-like gusts of wind” have knocked down trees, which in turn damage power lines. As a result, 10,000 Styrian households were affected by power outages by Saturday evening. The hotspots still extend from Graz to Leibnitz and into Upper Styria – St. Stefan im Rosental was hit particularly hard. “The wind gusts have become stronger over the course of the day,” says Harnik, “it is still unclear how the situation will develop.” The fitters are working non-stop to carry out the dangerous repair work. They are likely to have an intensive weekend ahead of them.Fire brigades in storm operationsThe fire brigades are also in demand: Since the extreme weather began, over 300 storm operations have been registered across Styria – on Saturday alone, more than 107 fire brigades with over 750 emergency personnel were called out. The main problem is fallen trees, says spokesman Thomas Meier. The focus is currently on the northern outskirts of Graz, in Weiz, Hartberg and Voitsberg.The heavy rain has so far played a minor role in Styria: “At the moment we only have storm operations, there have been no floods yet,” says Meier. However, they are prepared for rain operations in Upper Styria at night. Here, vehicles that had become stuck due to the snow had to be rescued. In the evening, the first mudslides occurred in Liezen – the fire brigade had to stack sandbags.Wind gusts of up to 120 km/hThis situation is also confirmed by Harald Eitner from the state warning center: “The wind is the widespread problem that will continue on Sunday.” In Hartberg, for example, 111 km/h and in the mountains even gusts of 120 km/h were measured. Many cable cars were shut down for safety reasons. “The rain could only become critical from Ausseerland to Mariazellerland, especially on the northern feeder roads to the Mürz,” says Eitner.According to meteorologist Martin Kulmer (Geosphere), the heavy rain will become increasingly stronger overnight in the north. By Monday, another 150 to 200 liters could be added in the “northern Stau” from Aussee to Mariazell, “even more in some places,” says Kulmer. Another 100 liters are also possible in the Mürztal, but in the south it will be significantly less.The flood situation in the country is getting worse – the “Krone” with our large family of readers and Caritas want to help those affected by the storms quickly and unbureaucratically. Volunteers who want to lend a hand can register online at fuereinand.at. Caritas donation account: Password: “Katastrophenhilfe Österreich”Erste BankBIC: GIBAATWWXXXIBAN: AT 23 2011 1000 0123 4560 Flood hotline for those affected:05/177 63 00 8 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)On Saturday, the snow line in the Ennstal and Ausseerland was at 1,200 meters above sea level, and in the Mariazellerland at 1,500 meters. The valleys therefore seem to be spared from snow. Great risk in the mountains!”The situation is better than feared in terms of rain, but worse than expected in terms of wind,” said Harald Eitner, head of disaster control, summarizing the situation on Sunday. The wind gusts in the valleys in particular are stronger than expected. The peak is expected for the night into Sunday. The associated power outages are a particular cause for concern: Since the technicians cannot currently get to everywhere, some households will probably have no power until Monday. Eitner appeals to people not to succumb to the temptation of the first snow and under no circumstances to plan ski tours: There is great risk in the high mountains. Gewessler visited Asfinag Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) visited the Asfinag traffic management center in Graz on Saturday instead of the canceled Aufsteirern Festival. “Many thanks to the employees and traffic managers of Asfinag who ensure safety throughout the country, be it on the roads, in the Alpine regions or in tunnels.” Gewessler warns of mudslides and floods. “Please look after yourself and those around you. Follow the information provided by the emergency services.”Railway line to Friedberg closedThe ÖBB continues to advise against non-essential rail travel: In the Styrian-Lower Austrian border region, a mudslide between Aspang and Friedberg has already caused a closure that will remain in place until at least Monday evening. There have been few closures on the road network so far – only the B 114 Triebener Straße is impassable until further notice due to fallen trees.
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