Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared a state of natural disaster in response to the severe flooding in the southern regions of the country. Triggered by the Genoa depression, the heavy rains have led to widespread damage, prompting the government to take swift emergency measures. On Sunday, September 15, Tusk announced that the Council of Ministers is preparing an official ordinance to enact the state of emergency.
“After consultations with the relevant ministers and services, I have ordered the preparation of a government ordinance to introduce the state of natural disaster,” said Tusk. The declaration comes after days of relentless rainfall that has overwhelmed local infrastructure, causing rivers to overflow and leading to evacuations in the hardest-hit areas.
Emergency Measures Enacted
The state of natural disaster will be introduced through a government ordinance, either at the request of regional governors or based on the government’s initiative. It is designed to prevent and mitigate the effects of natural or technical disasters that bear the hallmarks of a large-scale emergency.
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— Poland-24.com (@poland24com) September 15, 2024
The ordinance allows the state of natural disaster to be declared in regions directly affected by the catastrophe, as well as in areas where its impact is likely to spread. The government has initially set the duration of this extraordinary measure for up to 30 days, though this can be extended with the approval of the Polish Parliament.
In the hardest-hit regions, towns and villages have been submerged, and transportation links have been severely disrupted. Several rivers, including the Vistula and the Oder, have risen to dangerous levels, with flood warnings in place across much of southern Poland. Many residents have been evacuated as emergency teams work to protect critical infrastructure.
Floods Wreak Havoc in Southern Poland
The floods, caused by the Genoa depression — a low-pressure weather system that brings heavy moisture from the Mediterranean — have affected several southern provinces, including Silesia and Lesser Poland. In some areas, helicopters have been deployed to rescue stranded residents from rooftops, with local emergency services stretched to their limits.
Poland is experiencing unprecedented, record level floods, with some places completely under water.
— Poland-24.com (@poland24com) September 15, 2024
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Flood conditions in Poland are worsening as rivers across the country, particularly along the Oder, have reached levels last seen during the devastating 1997 floods. Authorities warn that the situation could deteriorate further in the coming hours, especially as water from the Czech Republic flows into Poland, exacerbating the crisis. The head of Poland’s National Security Bureau (BBN), Jacek Siewiera, confirmed that floodwaters have reached critical levels, particularly along the border with the Czech Republic.
“According to our Czech counterparts, the situation may worsen in the coming hours on rivers that form part of the Oder basin and originate on the Czech side,” Siewiera announced. The flood crisis has affected both countries, with rivers breaching their banks and flood defenses overwhelmed.
Floodwaters Reach 1997 Levels
The current water levels in both Poland and the Czech Republic are reminiscent of the 1997 “flood of the century,” which caused widespread destruction in Poland, the Czech Republic, eastern Germany, and other parts of Central Europe. During that disaster, large areas were submerged, and extensive damage was inflicted on homes, infrastructure, and the environment.
Siewiera emphasized that the severity of the current situation requires cross-border cooperation. In a meeting with Czech National Security Advisor Tomáš Pojar, both sides discussed joint efforts to manage the rising floodwaters. The two countries have agreed on several flood mitigation measures, including the deployment of additional resources and flood defense systems.
Critical Situation Along the Oder River
The most pressing issue is along the Oder River, particularly near the city of Ostrava-Svinov, where the river is at dangerously high levels. The peak of the floodwave is expected to hit on Sunday, though the situation remains highly dependent on future rainfall patterns. Polish authorities are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels to predict the severity of the floodwave.
Unprecedented floods IN Southern Poland continue.
— Poland-24.com (@poland24com) September 15, 2024
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In response to the growing danger, officials have decided to activate the Racibórz Dolny flood control reservoir. This flood management system is designed to reduce water flow downstream and protect vulnerable areas. Before making the decision, authorities conducted a thorough analysis of the situation in both the Czech and Polish sections of the Oder basin.
“The rising floodwave and fluctuating forecasts pose a significant risk of flooding for residential areas and infrastructure located downstream,” representatives of Polish Waters, the national water management authority, said in a statement.
Increased Cooperation Between Poland and Czechia
Cross-border coordination has been critical in managing the ongoing flood crisis. Both Polish and Czech authorities have exchanged vital information on water levels and potential risks. By working together, the two countries hope to minimize the impact of the floodwaters and prevent further damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural lands.
Despite these efforts, the situation remains tense, with more rain expected to worsen conditions. Both countries have mobilized additional emergency teams to respond to the floods, and local authorities are advising residents in high-risk areas to prepare for potential evacuations.
What Does the State of Natural Disaster Mean?
The introduction of a state of natural disaster gives the government special powers to manage the crisis. During this period, authorities can temporarily restrict certain freedoms and rights, including the movement of people in affected areas. It also grants the government additional powers to direct resources, enforce evacuations, and organize emergency responses more effectively.
One significant consequence of this measure is that no elections or referendums can be held during the state of emergency or within 90 days after it is lifted. This stipulation could affect upcoming electoral processes, though no specific elections were scheduled for the immediate future.
In announcing the measure, Tusk emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting citizens and minimizing the long-term damage caused by the floods. He also warned that more heavy rain is expected in the coming days, meaning the worst of the flooding might not yet be over.
Potential Prolongation of the Crisis
If the flooding continues to worsen, the government will have the option to extend the state of natural disaster beyond the initial 30-day period. However, any such extension will require parliamentary approval.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”pl” dir=”ltr”>Floods in Poland. 🇵🇱<br><br>📍Stronie Śląskie<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/pow%C3%B3dz?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#powódz</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/pow%C3%B3d%C5%BA2024?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#powódź2024</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/powod%C5%BA2024?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#powodź2024</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Powod%C5%BA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Powodź</a><a href=”https://t.co/ot21H57RMm”>pic.twitter.com/ot21H57RMm</a></p>— Poland-24.com (@poland24com) <a href=”https://twitter.com/poland24com/status/1835359582836711933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>September 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Local authorities are working closely with national emergency services to manage the crisis, but with many areas still under water and weather conditions showing little sign of improvement, challenges remain. The government’s primary goal is to prevent further loss of life and ensure that citizens in the affected areas receive the support they need.
Impact on Daily Life and Future Risks
The introduction of the state of natural disaster allows for temporary curtailments of certain civil liberties. For residents in the affected regions, this means potential restrictions on movement, mandatory evacuations, and increased control over public and private resources to support relief efforts. Though inconvenient, these measures are designed to prioritize public safety.
As the government takes steps to address the immediate crisis, attention is also turning to the potential long-term impacts of the floods. With infrastructure damaged and homes destroyed, recovery could take months, and the financial toll on affected communities is expected to be substantial. Poland’s flood defenses, particularly in the south, have been put to the test by this event, raising questions about the country’s preparedness for future natural disasters.
Prime Minister Tusk stressed that these unprecedented rains are a reminder of the growing importance of robust disaster preparedness plans, as Poland faces increasingly extreme weather patterns. The Genoa depression, which is responsible for much of the flooding, has brought intense and sustained rainfall not seen in the region in years.
For now, southern Poland remains on high alert as the government continues to monitor the situation closely.
