In recent years, Austria has invested billions in flood protection. In some places, however, even newly built facilities were unable to hold back the masses of water. Politicians are promising money for further expansion of these facilities. From the perspective of experts, that alone won't be enough. On Thursday, calls grew louder for adjustments in spatial planning and stronger climate protection.

Six people lost their lives in the floods. In the worst-affected areas of Lower Austria, many people lost all their worldly possessions. In addition to residential homes, businesses and public facilities such as schools, nurseries and care homes were also under water. Nearly 2,200 damage reports have been recorded in the region so far.

The damage to road infrastructure in Lower Austria is "enormous", said the responsible regional councillor Udo Landbauer (FPÖ). Rail services also remain disrupted. In agriculture, the storms left damage totalling ten million euros across Austria, according to the Hail Insurance provider. The reconstruction will "take not days, weeks or months, but years", stated Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP).

Areas flooded despite protective infrastructure… more on orf.at