1997 Central European flood


The 1997 Central European flood or the 1997 Oder Flood of Oder and Morava river basins in July 1997 affected Poland, Germany, and Czech Republic, taking lives of about 74 people and causing material damages estimated at $4.5 billion. The flooding began in Czech Republic, then spread to Poland and Germany. In Poland, where it was one of the most disastrous floods in history of that country, it was named the Millennium Flood. The term was also used in Germany. The flood has also been referred to as the Great Flood of 1997.

Causes

Southwestern Poland and the northern Czech Republic experienced two periods of extensive rainfall, first occurring 3–10 July and second 17–22 July. The precipitation was caused by a Genoa low pressure system, which moved from northern Italy to Moravia and Poland. The unusual development occurred when a field of higher air pressure between the Azores Islands and Scandinavia was blocked. The center of low pressure remained over southern Poland for a long period of time.
The precipitation was very high, measuring, and corresponded to several months' average rainfall over a few days. Water levels rose 2–3 m above previously recorded averages and were so high that they caused the water to flow over existing measurement poles. It was one of the heaviest rainfalls in recorded world's history. It was dubbed the Millennium Flood because a likelihood of such a flood in a particular year was estimated at 0.1%.

Floods

Flooding began on 5 July in the Czech Republic and spread to Poland on 6 July. Those early floods were very rapid flash floods. In Poland, the first towns flooded were located around Głuchołazy, and were visited by Polish Prime Minister Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz on 7 July. Flooding spread rapidly from Chałupki to Racibórz. In Kłodzko several buildings dating back a few hundred years collapsed; on 8 July the flood reached Krapkowice. In the second stage of the flood, the flood wave flowed down through the Oder river, submerging successive towns in the area. Left-bank Opole was flooded on 10 July, Wrocław and Rybnik on 12 July, and Głogów soon after. The rising waters slowed by the time they reached the Polish-German border, allowing more time for preparations; the damages were thus much lower.
On 18 July, Polish president Aleksander Kwaśniewski declared a day of national mourning.

Water levels

Water levels recorded on the Oder river in the flood period:
honors people who worked to save the city during the 1997 flood. It depicts a symbolic woman at the University Library, carrying all books from lower to upper floors.
LocationOder-kmMaximum water level
Date
Poland Racibórz Miedonia55.510459 July 1997
Poland Ujście Nysy180.576810 July 1997
Poland Rędzin261.1103013 July 1997
Poland Brzeg Dolny284.797013 July 1997 –
Poland Malczyce304.879214 July 1997 –
Poland Ścinawa331.973215 July 1997
Poland Głogów392.971216 July 1997
Poland Nowa Sól429.868116 July 1997
Poland Cigacice471.368219 July 1997
Poland Połęcko530.359524 July 1997
Germany Ratzdorf542.569124 July 1997
Germany Eisenhüttenstadt554.171724 July 1997
Germany Frankfurt/Oder584.0657-65627 July 1997
Poland Słubice584.163727 July 1997
Germany Kietz614.865327 July 1997 –
Germany Kienitz633.062824 July 1997
Poland Gozdowice645.365931 July 1997 –
Germany Hohensaaten-Finow664.972931 July 1997
Germany Hohensaaten
667.280531 July 1997
Poland Bielinek673.571231 July 1997 –
Germany Stützkow680.5100929 July 1997
Germany Schwedt Oderbrücke690.68862 August 1997
Germany Schwedt
697.08401 August 1997 –
Poland Widuchowa701.87602 August 1997 –
Germany Gartz 8.06981 August 1997 –
Germany Mescherin14.16723 August 1997
Poland Gryfino718.56493 August 1997
Germany ÜckermündeOderhaff5366 August 1997

Fatalities and damages

The flood caused the deaths of 114 people and material damages estimated at $4.5 billion.
In Poland, it is estimated that 7,000 people lost all of their possessions. 9,000 private businesses were affected and 680,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. The flood also damaged 843 schools, 4,000 bridges, 14,400 km of roads, 2,000 km of railways. In total, 665,835 hectares were affected in Poland. The losses were estimated at 63 billion Polish zloties. The town of Kłodzko sustained damages equivalent to 50 years of its annual budget.
In the Czech Republic, there were 50 fatalities. 2151 flats and 48 bridges were destroyed. 538 villages and towns were affected. The losses were estimated at 63 billion Czech korunas. The town of Troubky was most severely affected.
In Germany there were no fatalities.

Responses

Government responses in Czech Republic and Poland were criticized. The flood revealed various inadequacies in decision making and infrastructure, although the unprecedented magnitude of the disaster was seen by some as a mitigating factor.
Numerous charities provided aid to those affected by the floods.