Author(s): Pawel Rowinski; Tomasz Okruszko; Monika Kalinowska And Tomasz Walczykiewicz
Linked Author(s): Tomasz Okruszko, Pawel M. Rowinski
Keywords: Flood risk management infrastructure resilience extreme weather events flood mitigation
Abstract: The paper explores the severe flood in Central Europe, focusing on the Nysa Klodzka basin in Poland during September 2024. The extreme weather event was triggered by a low-pressure system over the Gulf of Genoa, influenced by historically high Mediterranean water temperatures. Unprecedented rainfall, with maximum three-day totals recorded in eastern Austria and the Czech-Polish border region, caused catastrophic damage across multiple countries. In Poland, the flood destroyed infrastructure, caused significant loss of life, and caused extensive agricultural damage. The analysis includes rainfall estimations using the RainGRS system, maximum water levels, and the operational effectiveness of water reservoirs and polders in flood mitigation. Lessons learned highlight the need for improved technical measures, enhanced warning systems, and cross-border cooperation in flood management. The study underscores the urgency of adapting flood prevention strategies to address such extreme events' growing frequency and intensity.
Year: 2025