preparing for the flood

After the wettest May in weather records, the South and East of Germany are afflicted by a big flood at the moment.

In Magdeburg the Elbe river is expected to reach its peak (6,90 m) on Friday (probably half a metre above the mark from the "Centennial Flood" in 2002). In comparison, the normal water level is at 2 m . (Elbe water level from last September)

As a precaution, the barrage in the South of the city was opened yesterday afternoon, so that about one third of the water can be directed around the city into an adjacent channel and to the marshlands.

Let's hope for the best.