Aerial photo of the flood in Oberpinzgau between Mittersill and Bramberg, Austria, 18 July 2021. Photo: Land Salzburg / Franz Wiese
Aerial photo of the flood in Oberpinzgau between Mittersill and Bramberg, Austria, 18 July 2021. Photo: Land Salzburg / Franz Wiese

by Richard Davies, FloodList

A series of summer storms and severe weather in Europe in July resulted in significant rainfall and flooding throughout the month. FloodList recorded over 40 flood events - both major and minor - in more than 135 locations across the continent (see list below).

As well as the catastrophic floods in Belgium, western Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, other significant flood events included those seen in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; Crimea and Russia’s Black Sea region; southeast England; northern Italy, and eastern Europe.

 

Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Just days after the flooding in the western states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, flash floods swept through the southern state of Bavaria on 17 July. The district of Berchtesgadener Land declared a disaster.

Rivers broke their banks in parts of neighbouring northern Austria on the same day, causing widespread damage in several towns in the state of Salzburg.

1. Floods in Hallein, Salzburg, Austria
Floods in Hallein, Salzburg, Austria, 18 July 2021. Photo: Land Salzburg

Parts of Switzerland saw dramatic flooding struck on 24 July when 26 mm of rain fell in just 10 minutes in Wolhusen in the district of Entlebuch, Lucerne Canton. Raging torrents of water swept vehicles along the streets of Wolhusen and dumped them into the Kleine Emme river below.

 

Black Sea

Areas along the Black Sea saw significant flooding from 03 to 06 July, including districts in the Crimea for the second time in 2 weeks and Russia’s Krasnodar Region where 8 fatalities were reported. Officials said areas saw more than 2 months’ worth of rain in a few hours. The city of Sochi saw yet more flooding on 23 July where 4 people lost their lives.

 

Southeast England

In the UK, the capital London and Southeast England saw flash flooding from 10 to 12 July. The London Fire Brigade received more than 1,000 calls related to flooding.
More flooding struck in the city on 25 July. Vehicles were stranded on flooded roads, including on the M11 motorway, and several train stations were closed. UK’s Met Office said St James Park in central London recorded 41.6 mm of rain on 25 July. 

Floods in London 25 July 2021
Floods in London 25 July 2021. Photo: London Fire Brigade

Northern Italy

Areas around Lake Como suffered landslides and flash floods after heavy rain flowed down slopes around the lake, causing significant material damages in the communes of Cernobbio, Brienno, Laglio, and Argegno in Como Province, Lombardy Region, on 27 July.

Flood damage in Como Province, Lombardy, Italy in July 2021
Flood damage in Como Province, Lombardy, Italy 27 July 2021. Photo: Government of Lombardy

Eastern Europe

In eastern Europe, stormy weather resulted in minor flooding in Poland throughout the month of July. Flooding was also reported in Czechia, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, and Romania where one 1 person died, and dozens were evacuated or rescued by emergency services from 15 to 20 July. The counties of Iasi, Arges, Neamt, and Alba were the worst affected areas.
 

List of Flood Events (including minor floods) in Europe for July 2021
•    30/06/2021    Eastern Germany, Early July 2021
•    02/07/2021    Southern Scotland, UK, Early July 2021
•    03/07/2021    England, UK, Early July 2021
•    03/07/2021    Northern, Central and Eastern Poland, Early July 2021
•    04/07/2021    Krasnodar Krai, Russia, Early July 2021
•    04/07/2021    Northern Italy, Early July 2021
•    04/07/2021    Crimea, July 2021
•    04/07/2021    Western Germany, Early July 2021
•    04/07/2021    Belgium, Early July 2021
•    05/07/2021    Denmark, Early July 2021
•    09/07/2021    Southern and Eastern England, UK, July 2021
•    13/07/2021    Switzerland, Mid-July 2021
•    13/07/2021    Western Germany, Mid-July 2021
•    14/07/2021    Netherlands, July 2021
•    14/07/2021    Luxembourg, July 2021
•    14/07/2021    Belgium, Mid-July 2021
•    15/07/2021    Romania, Mid to Late July 2021
•    17/07/2021    Eastern Germany, Late July 2021
•    17/07/2021    Southern Italy, Late July 2021
•    17/07/2021    Czech Republic, Late July 2021
•    17/07/2021    Southern Germany and Austria, July 2021
•    18/07/2021    Serbia, Late July 2021
•    18/07/2021    Storm Riikka, Finland, Late July 2021
•    19/07/2021    Croatia, Late July 2021
•    20/07/2021    Central and Southern England, UK, Late July 2021
•    21/07/2021    Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia, Late July 2021
•    21/07/2021    Odessa Region, Ukraine, Late July 2021
•    23/07/2021    Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, Late July 2021
•    24/07/2021    Lombardy Region, Italy, Late July 2021
•    24/07/2021    Northern and Eastern France, Late July 2021
•    24/07/2021    Bavaria, Germany, Late July 2021
•    24/07/2021    Namur Province, Belgium, Late July 2021
•    24/07/2021    Switzerland, Late July 2021
•    24/07/2021    Southeast England, Late July 2021
•    24/07/2021    Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany, Late July 2021
•    25/07/2021    Trenčín Region, Slovakia, Late July 2021
•    25/07/2021    Netherlands, Late July 2021
•    27/07/2021    Piedmont, Italy, Late July 2021
•    27/07/2021    Southern and Western Sweden, Late July 2021
•    30/07/2021    Austria, Late July 2021