Chapter I: Introduction
Table of Contents
- Chapter I: Introduction
- Introduction
Introduction
This case study will analyze the flood in central Europe during June 2013. The countries of Germany, Poland, Czech Republic and Austria were influenced by this flood. In Germany the situation was extreme along the Danube and Elbe rivers, but also around smaller rivers in the south and southeast of Germany.
The following chart shows the center of the precipitation between 31 May and 2 June 2013 in the northeast and south of Germany and the adjacent Czech Republic and Austria. During this time precipitation reached more than 100 mm or 100 liters per square meters.
Figure 1.1: Amount of precipitation in 72 hours from 31 May to 2 June 2013. Source: Wikipedia
Figure 1.2: Accumulated amount of precipitation in the southern and central parts of Germany (94 hours) in mm, from 31 May (08:00 UTC) to 4 June 2013 (10:00 UTC). Source: (1)
Figure 1.3: The highest accumulated amount of precipitation in the southern and central parts of Germany (94 hours) in mm, from 31 May (08:00 UTC) to 4 June 2013 (10:00 UTC). Source: (1)
The total precipitation in Germany and adjacent countries from 31 May to 4 June 2013 is shown above in figures 1.2 and 1.3. The highest value of 400.4 mm was recorded at the Aschau-Stein station southwest of the Chiemsee.
The flood case caused damages of approximately 1.3 billion euro in Bavaria alone.
One of the main causes of damage to buildings was heating oil, which leaked out and penetrated into the walls.
The June 2013 flood is already the fifth catastrophic event involving the Danube since 1988. The water levels reached new records in many places, such as in Passau at the German-Austrian border.
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| Fig. 1.4 a): Weather alerts in Germany at the beginning of continuous heavy rain, 30 May 2013 | Fig. 1.4 b): Weather alerts in Germany at the end of continuous heavy rain, 3 June 2013 |
The following is a comparison of total precipitation recorded during the floods of June 2013 and August 2002. In 2002 the total for Germany was 19.5 trillion liters of water. In 2013 it was 10% more, 22.8 trillion liters of water. 22.8 trillion liters corresponds to just under half of the total water in Lake Constance, which contains 48 trillion liters. See the following table for a state-by-state breakdown of the rainfall.
Figure 1.5:: Overview of estimated total precipitation for the 2013 and 2002 floods for Germany and the German states (in mm or liter per square meter). The calculations behind the estimate are based on data from observation stations, which are only representative for their own surroundings. Source: (1)
The following images depict the flood and its effects on Germany and the other afflicted countries:
Figure 1.6: The Tiroler Ache overflowing and flooding the A8 highway. Source: Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt
Figure 1.7: Flooding in the area of Niederbayern, source Anna Hiendlmayer, http://www.br.de/nachrichten/inhalt/bayern-hochwasser-ueberschwemmung-pegel-100.html
Figure 1.8: Flood in Passau, where the Inn and Ilz enter the Danube. Source: Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology
Figure 1.9: The Elbe at Gallin, 5 June 2013. Source: flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusmeissner/8999104598/in/album-72157634030459376/
Figure 1.10: The Elbe at Gallin, 5 June 2013. Source: flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusmeissner/8997925735/in/album-72157634030459376/
Figure 1.11: Halle (Saale). Source: Wikipedia