Severe Weather in Lower Austria and Burgenland: Over 140 Fire Department Deployments After Intense Storm Front

In St. Valentin, Amstetten district, a tree fell onto ÖBB overhead lines, causing a fire. A train had to stop on the open track. Approximately 85 passengers were evacuated with the help of the fire department and transported by bus to the nearest train station. Emergency services worked with ÖBB to secure the danger zone and resolve the disruption.

The Amstetten District Fire Department Alarm Center recorded an exceptionally high volume of calls during the severe weather. Within just 20 minutes, more than 50 deployments had to be coordinated.

Dramatic Scenes on Lake Neusiedl

In Burgenland, strong gusts of wind caused trees to fall, blocking roads. A tree had to be cleared from the roadway on the federal highway in Litzelsdorf. In Kemeten, Oberwart district, a car ended up in the Strembach stream shortly before 4:00 PM. The occupants were able to free themselves, but a dog remained in the vehicle. According to the Oberwart District Fire Department Command, the dog was rescued unharmed by emergency services shortly thereafter.

On Lake Neusiedl, water sports enthusiasts found themselves in distress. Around 4:00 PM, the crew of a water rescue boat noticed a drifting electric boat with six people on board during the thunderstorm. The electric motor had failed, and the boat could no longer be maneuvered. Rescuers secured the boat and attended to the passengers before it was towed back to its home port by the fire department.

Shortly before 7:00 PM, four stand-up paddleboarders were reported in distress near Podersdorf. However, they were able to reach safety on their own.

Wave of Deployments Also in Upper Austria

Numerous deployments also occurred in Upper Austria. Around 1,000 fire department deployments were recorded there over the weekend. On Lake Traun and Lake Hallstatt, 20 rescue personnel from six local water rescue stations were simultaneously in action within an hour and a half. Following a sudden storm warning in the afternoon, several water sports enthusiasts and boaters found themselves in critical situations. Rescuers safely brought four stand-up paddleboarders and their boards ashore, secured a drifting boat, and guided two other boats to a landing stage in strong waves.

The Austrian Water Rescue Service issued a strong reminder on Monday, urging everyone to leave the water immediately and seek shelter in protected areas when storm warning lights – the flashing signals on the lake shores – are activated.