Floods - spring and summer 2005
The floods season
A considerable number of European countries were affected
by consecutive "waves" of floods throughout the
first half of 2005. Two
participating states, Romania and Bulgaria, requested
assistance through the Mechanism.
Romania
Heavy rains in April and May 2005 caused floods and landslides
in Romania, affecting thousands of people and destroying hundreds
of houses. These were the worst floods hitting the country
in 50 years. The Romanian authorities launched an appeal for
international assistance on 19 May 2005. The MIC immediately
alerted the civil protection authorities of the other participating
states. A large number of member states offered immediately assistance:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. This assistance
consisted of intervention teams, highly specialised material
and financial support. The MIC made joint efforts with other
Commission services to monitor the floods, for instance, via
satellite images. The Commission also promptly sent a civil
protection expert to Romania. Through co-operation with
the Romanian authorities, European assistance was distributed
to the affected areas and essential information from the areas
was transmitted via Brussels to the Member States. The MIC
provided further added value by supplying
satellite images through the
International Charter
(Space and Major Disasters). After new torrential rainfalls in July, Romania made another
request for assistance on 16 July 2005. The MIC immediately
reactivated the Mechanism. The most affected counties were:
Harghita, Bacau, Vrancea, Galati and Braila, where the situation
was still critical after the spring floods. Upon request of
the Romanian authorities, the MIC closed the operation on
8 August 2005 due to improving weather conditions and to the
international assistance delivered. In addition to civil protection assistance, Romania received
more than € 49 million to help repair rail and roads
damaged by floods through the
EU Solidarity Fund. Read the
Press Release on civil protection assistance to Romania Read the
Press Release on solidarity funds for Romania
 Photo
gallery for Romania floods
Bulgaria
The May floods in Bulgaria affected more than one quarter
of the country’s population, leading to 20 deaths and a hefty
bill to deal with damage. Bulgaria suffered a considerable
amount of damage to its transport and services networks. Due
to the large quantities of mud and rock deposited by the floodwaters,
road and railroad traffic was disrupted. Road asphalt was
also damaged in the process. Telephone connections, electricity
and water supply were severed. Some regions suffered landslides,
and the foundations of many a bridge undermined. Many private
and public buildings suffered flooding and their roofs were
damaged. Serious damage was also caused in arable areas.
Bulgaria declared a state of emergency in 22 municipalities,
the most affected being Sofia, Lovech, Targovishte, Veliko
Tarnovo, Vratza, Pleven, Rousse, Pernik, and Sofia District
Regions. It mobilised all national capacities, including relevant
ministries, the armed forces, non-governmental organisations,
and private and public companies.
Following a request for assistance from the Bulgarian authorities
on 10 June 2005, the MIC activated the Mechanism, in parallel
with the ongoing emergency in Romania. A number of countries
also responded to Bulgaria’s request for assistance – Austria,
Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Malta, Slovakia
and Sweden. The MIC provided further added value by supplying
satellite images through the
International Charter
(Space and Major Disasters).
During the month of June, the situation in the disaster-stricken
regions was gradually returning to normal. Although, the situation
was still of concern and in view of the ongoing disasters
in other parts of Europe the Bulgarian authorities informed
the MIC that they withdraw their request for assistance. As
a result, the operation was closed towards the end of July.
In addition to civil protection assistance, the Commission
proposed €20.35 million of aid through the
EU Solidarity Fund. Read the
Press Release on solidarity funds for Bulgaria.
Photo
gallery for Romania floods
Kyrgyz Republic and Georgia
In the Kyrgyz Republic heavy floods affected the regions of
Osh, Batken and Jalal-abad during the period of 10-13 June
2005. Approximately 85 villages and towns were affected and
almost 4,000 houses are damaged. The Kyrgyz Republic authorities
reported that 190 km of main roads were damaged and almost
2,500 homes had to be disinfected. On 20 June the government
of the Kyrgyz Republic issued a request for assistance to
the European Commission delegation. The MIC alerted participating
states, however no assistance was provided through the Mechanism.
Georgia was equally affected by floods and called on the MIC
for two separate emergencies - in April and June respectively.
Although a number of participating states offered assistance
through the Mechanism, aid from Lithuania and Austria finally
reached its destination.
Floods in Central Europe (August 2005)
In August 2005 another wave of floods hit most central European
countries. The MIC monitored the emergencies and kept
contact with the participating states. Floods mainly affected
parts of Germany (Bavaria) and Austria (Tirol, Vorarlberg)
and to a lesser extent Poland and Hungary. The floods also
affected non-EU Member States, in particular Switzerland but
also Croatia, and once again Romania and Bulgaria. No
country requested assistance through the Mechanism during
that period.
Photo
gallery
Romania floods
Bulgaria
floods
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