Graz (July 12, 2024).- On July 11, 2024, several thunderstorm fronts and hail, heavy rain and storms moved across Styria, some of which caused massive floods. The storm has affected the Voitsberg area in particular. In the municipality of Krottendorf-Gaisfeld, the civil defense alarm was initiated at night at the request of the mayor. Evacuations had to be made and a large number of families in the affected areas are without power. Some families in the affected areas are currently isolated and unreachable. The emergency services have been operating continuously since the night hours. Fortunately, no serious personal injuries have been reported so far. The Graz-Köflacher-Bahn had to stop operations due to washed tracks. The water is receding again at the moment and the emergency services are continuing to work to repair the damage. The Murtal area was also hit by the storms. In the communities of Spielberg and Zeltweg in particular, many cellars are flooded and covered with mud. The fire brigades have been on duty here for some time too.
A disaster has been declared for five communities in the Voitsberg area
The Voitsberg district administration declared it a disaster for the communities of Edelschrott, Maria Lankowitz, Krottendorf-Gaisfeld, St. Martin am Wöllmißberg and the municipality of Voitsberg. In addition to hundreds of volunteers from the volunteer fire brigades, Energie Steiermark, the road maintenance service in the state of Styria, geologists and experts from protective water management are also deployed in the area in question. During the morning, reconnaissance flights will be carried out by helicopters from the Austrian Armed Forces in order to be able to assess the situation more precisely.
LH Drexler and LH representative. Many thanks to the emergency services
“It is surprising and alarming that Styria has been hit again by such intense storms that have caused massive damage. We can only thank everyone who worked for hours to help people and prevent damage. This thanks goes especially to the hundreds of comrades from the volunteer fire departments. But also all other emergency services, employees of the municipalities, the state of Styria and Energie Steiermark and everyone who helps. Please take good care of yourself during your work and assignments,” the state governor said Christopher Drexler and deputy governor Anton Lang.
Graz, July 12, 2024