Pinzgau and Pongau – devastating storms: clearing up has begun


After the devastating storms in Pinzgau and Pongau, the big cleanup has now begun. The rain stopped that night, so we are cautiously optimistic that the overall situation will relax.

Hotspot Reinbach settlement in St. Johann in Pongau: After the heavy storms including hail, heavy rain and gusts of wind, the local fire brigades are now starting to limit the damage. They pump out basements and garages and make roads drivable again. The storm lasted until three in the morning from Monday to Tuesday. But there was only a short break for the emergency services: they have been back in action since the early hours of the morning.

The storms caused great damage not only in Pongau, but also in Pinzgau. More than 100 people were brought to safety by the emergency services because of mudslides and floods, and there were also injuries. During these hours, the disaster control, torrent and avalanche control, the state geological service and the road administration assess the current situation – in some cases by means of reconnaissance flights.

Pongau: supplies in the barracks

In Pongau, the civil protection alarm for the Reinbach settlement has been lifted, and the clean-up work is ongoing throughout the district. Around 70 people were rescued from their vehicles here during the night because they were trapped in two mudslides on Wagrainer Strasse – including many vacationers and families. About 50 of them are currently still being cared for in the barracks.

Wagrain can currently only be reached from Flachau, the torrent dams in the valleys are checked by means of reconnaissance flights so that immediate measures can be taken.

Pinzgau: The situation around the Salzach is relaxed

After the level of the Salzach near Mittersill reached the five-meter mark on Monday evening, the lift bridge was raised to prevent blockages. During the night the level rose to 5.30 meters. It is now just under 3 meters. After the precipitation has subsided during the night, the situation around the Salzach has eased noticeably.

Here, too, the emergency services are in the process of repairing the damaged areas. This applies to torrent dams, for example, which are currently being cleared. In the Schwarzenbach district of the municipality of Dienten am Hochkönig, a mudslide hit a coach and a car on Monday evening, one person was seriously injured and two others were slightly injured. A nearby stream is heavily clogged and is currently being cleared

Manfred Pongruber from the disaster control of the district authority of Zell am See described the situation at the Krimml train station as a critical point. This area was affected by mudslides three times in three days. The area was extensively evacuated yesterday evening. For this reason, an assistance mission from the Armed Forces was requested today for the rapid evacuation of the danger spots. A set of the Pinzgauer local railway has been spilled and has to be freed with heavy equipment.

Everyone helps together

Bernhard Gratz, Pinzgau district captain, described the situation in the district on Tuesday morning: “Fortunately, the water levels on the Salzach have been falling for a few hours, we expect the situation in the district to ease as the weather improves during the day. During the night, however, the heavy rainfall again caused major damage, especially to roads and infrastructure, which are currently being assessed and repaired on site. We as the authority, the emergency services and of course the population stand together in this difficult situation. “