St Anton Devastated By Flash Floods

The popular ski resort of St Anton am Arlberg has been severely impacted by flash floods, causing widespread damage and disruption to the local community. Heavy rainfall led to rapid water levels rising, sweeping away cars, and inundating homes and businesses.

"Heavy storms have done great damage in many parts of Austria," Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on X, thanking officials who were working to clear up the damage.

In a statement the fire brigade said:

"After the severe storms yesterday in the municipality of St. Anton am Arlberg, two disaster relief trains from the Landeck district fire brigades, consisting of a total of 24 fire brigades with around 250 firefighters, are now in action to repair the greatest damage to the buildings. They are also supported by five large pumps from the districts of Imst, Innsbruck-Land, Innsbruck-Stadt and two pumps from the state fire brigade school. A helicopter is helping to assess the exact situation and the crisis team is meeting regularly. The experts from the torrent and avalanche control are also on site and in constant contact with the emergency services, as the sediment barriers and retention basins are partially full and safety is the top priority for the emergency services.

"The municipality of Grinzens was also badly affected by the storms - there were several floods here and numerous cellars had to be pumped out and water damage repaired."

Emergency services were quickly deployed to assist those affected, with rescue teams working tirelessly to evacuate residents and clear debris. While there have been no reported fatalities, the extent of the damage is substantial. Numerous buildings have sustained significant structural damage, and the resort's infrastructur has been severely impacted. A landlside has closed the Arlberg Pass.

The Austrian Red Cross has launched an appeal for donations to support those affected by the disaster, providing essential supplies such as food, clothing, and shelter. The local tourism industry is facing a challenging period as the clean-up operation begins and efforts to restore essential services are underway.

As the situation continues to evolve, authorities are urging visitors to avoid the area and respect the ongoing emergency response. The full extent of the damage and the timeline for recovery remain uncertain.