1997 Oder Flood
Encyclopedia
The 1997 Central European flood or the 1997 Oder Flood of the Oder River and its tributaries
in July 1997 affected Poland
, Germany
, and the Czech Republic
, taking lives of 105-115 people (in Czech Republic and Poland) and causing material damages estimated at $4.5 billion (3.8 billion euros in the Czech Republic and Poland and 330 million euros in Germany). The flooding first begun in the Czech Republic, then spread to Poland and Germany. In Poland, where it was one of the most disastrous floods in the history of that country, it was named the Millennium Flood (Powódź tysiąclecia) although the term was also used in Germany (Jahrtausendflut). The flood has also been referred to as the Great Flood of 1997.
The cause of precipitation was low pressure, which from northern Italy to Moravia
and Poland. The unusual development occurred when the field of higher air pressure between the Azores Islands and Scandinavia was blocked. The center of the low pressure remained over southern Poland for a long period.
The precipitation was very high, at the level of 300–600 mm (11.8–23.6 in), the equivalent - over few days - over several months worth of averages. The waters have risen 2-3m above the previously recorded averages, and were so high that they flooded over standing measurement poles. The heavy rains of that period in that region were among the largest rains in the recorded world's history. The reasons the flood was called the Millennium Flood was because the chances of such a flood were estimated at 0.1% chance a year.
. In Kłodzko several few hundred years old buildings (kamienica
) have collapsed; on 8 July the flood reached Krapkowice
. In the second stage of the flood, the flood wave was flowing down through Oder river, overwhelming successive towns on the river. On July 10 left-bank Opole
was flooded. On July 12, Wrocław and Rybnik
were flooded. Soon afterwards, Głogów was flooded. By the time the rising waters reached Polish-German border (the Oder-Neisse line
), they have slowed, allowing more time for preparations; the damages were thus much lower.
On 18 July, Polish president Aleksander Kwaśniewski
declared a day of national mourning.
river in the flood period:
In Poland, it is estimated that 7,000 people lost all of their possessions. 9,000 private businesseses were affected, 680,000 houses were damaged or destroyed, as well as 843 schools (100 destroyed), 4,000 bridges (45 destroyed), 14,400 km of roads, 2,000km of railways. In total, 665.835 hectares were affected in Poland (an estimated 2% of Polish total territory). The losses were estimated at 63 billions of Polish zloties (or US$ 2.3-3.5 billion at the 1997 levels). The town of Kłodzko sustained damages equivalent to 50 years of its annual budget.
In the Czech Republic, there were 50 fatalities (another source gives 60). 2151 flats and 48 bridges were destroyed. 538 villages and towns were affected. The losses were estimated at 63 billions of Czech koruna
s. The town of Troubky
was most severely affected.
In Germany there were no fatalities.
Numerous charities provided aid to those affected by the floods.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
in July 1997 affected Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, taking lives of 105-115 people (in Czech Republic and Poland) and causing material damages estimated at $4.5 billion (3.8 billion euros in the Czech Republic and Poland and 330 million euros in Germany). The flooding first begun in the Czech Republic, then spread to Poland and Germany. In Poland, where it was one of the most disastrous floods in the history of that country, it was named the Millennium Flood (Powódź tysiąclecia) although the term was also used in Germany (Jahrtausendflut). The flood has also been referred to as the Great Flood of 1997.
Causes
Waters rose as the results of two extensive rain periods (4-10 July and 17-22 July) in southwestern Poland and northern Czech Republic.The cause of precipitation was low pressure, which from northern Italy to Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
and Poland. The unusual development occurred when the field of higher air pressure between the Azores Islands and Scandinavia was blocked. The center of the low pressure remained over southern Poland for a long period.
The precipitation was very high, at the level of 300–600 mm (11.8–23.6 in), the equivalent - over few days - over several months worth of averages. The waters have risen 2-3m above the previously recorded averages, and were so high that they flooded over standing measurement poles. The heavy rains of that period in that region were among the largest rains in the recorded world's history. The reasons the flood was called the Millennium Flood was because the chances of such a flood were estimated at 0.1% chance a year.
Floods
Already on July 5 flooding begun in the Czech Republic, and on July 6 floods spread to Poland. Those early floods were flash floods, very rapid (water levels have risen by up to 4 meters in half a day). The first Polish flooded towns were around Głuchołazy, which were subsequently on July 7 visited by Polish Prime Minister Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz. Soon, flooding spread from Chałupki to RacibórzRacibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
. In Kłodzko several few hundred years old buildings (kamienica
Kamienica
Kamienica may refer to the following places and features in Poland:*Kamienica , a type of tenement house*Kamienica , a river in south-western Poland*Kamienica, Kłodzko County in Lower Silesian Voivodeship...
) have collapsed; on 8 July the flood reached Krapkowice
Krapkowice
Krapkowice is a town in south-western Poland with 17,840 inhabitants , situated in the Opole Voivodeship, straddling both banks of the Oder River at the point where it joins with the Osobłoga. It is the regional capital of Krapkowice County....
. In the second stage of the flood, the flood wave was flowing down through Oder river, overwhelming successive towns on the river. On July 10 left-bank Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
was flooded. On July 12, Wrocław and Rybnik
Rybnik
Rybnik is a city in southern Poland, in the Silesian Voivodeship. Rybnik is located close to the border with the Czech Republic and just outside the southern border of the largest urban area in Poland, the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union...
were flooded. Soon afterwards, Głogów was flooded. By the time the rising waters reached Polish-German border (the Oder-Neisse line
Oder-Neisse line
The Oder–Neisse line is the border between Germany and Poland which was drawn in the aftermath of World War II. The line is formed primarily by the Oder and Lusatian Neisse rivers, and meets the Baltic Sea west of the seaport cities of Szczecin and Świnoujście...
), they have slowed, allowing more time for preparations; the damages were thus much lower.
On 18 July, Polish president Aleksander Kwaśniewski
Aleksander Kwasniewski
Aleksander Kwaśniewski is a Polish politician who served as the President of Poland from 1995 to 2005. He was born in Białogard, and during communist rule he was active in the Socialist Union of Polish Students and was the Minister for Sport in the communist government in the 1980s...
declared a day of national mourning.
Water levels
Water levels recorded on OdraOder
The Oder is a river in Central Europe. It rises in the Czech Republic and flows through western Poland, later forming of the border between Poland and Germany, part of the Oder-Neisse line...
river in the flood period:
| Location | Oder-km | max. Water level in cm | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racibórz Miedonia Racibórz Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship... |
55,5 | 1045 | 09.07.1997 |
| Ujście Nysy | 180,5 | 768 | 10.07.1997 |
| Rędzin | 261,1 | 1030 | 13.07.1997 |
| Brzeg Dolny Brzeg Dolny Brzeg Dolny is a town in Wołów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. It is located north-west of Wrocław on the Oder River, and is the site of a large chemical complex, PCC Rokita SA... |
284,7 | 970 | 13.-14.07.1997 |
| Malczyce Malczyce Malczyce is a village in Środa Śląska County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland, lying on the river Oder . It is the seat of township Gmina Malczyce. Prior to 1945 it was part of Germany.... |
304,8 | 792 | 14.-15.07.1997 |
| Ścinawa Scinawa Ścinawa is a town and municipality on the Oder river in the Lower Silesian region of Poland. The town features a number of historic monuments including city hall and the town church . The Ścinawa train station is a key gateway for travel throughout the region, connecting major destinations such... |
331,9 | 732 | 15.07.1997 |
| Głogów Glogów Głogów is a town in southwestern Poland. It is the county seat of Głogów County, in Lower Silesian Voivodeship , and was previously in Legnica Voivodeship . It is also the administrative seat of Gmina Głogów, although it is not part of its territory... |
392,9 | 712 | 16.07.1997 |
| Nowa Sól Nowa Sól Nowa Sól is a town on the Oder River in Lubusz Voivodeship, western Poland. It is the capital of Nowa Sól County and had a population of 40,351 as of 2006.-History:... |
429,8 | 681 | 16.07.1997 |
| Cigacice | 471,3 | 682 | 19.07.1997 |
| Połęcko | 530,3 | 595 | 24.07.1997 |
| Ratzdorf | 542,5 | 691 | 24.07.1997 |
| Eisenhüttenstadt Eisenhüttenstadt Eisenhüttenstadt is a town in the Oder-Spree district of Brandenburg, Germany at the border with Poland. The town was founded in 1950 alongside a new steel mill as a socialist model city and has a population of 32,214... |
554,1 | 717 | 24.07.1997 |
| Frankfurt/Oder | 584,0 | 657-656 | 27.07.1997 |
| Słubice | 584,1 | 637 | 27.07.1997 |
| Kietz Küstrin-Kietz Küstrin-Kietz is a small village located in the German state of Brandenburg, at the Oder river and the border with Poland. Since 1998 it is part of the Küstriner Vorland municipality.-Overview:... |
614,8 | 653 | 27.-28.07.1997 |
| Kienitz | 633,0 | 628 | 24.07.1997 |
| Gozdowice Gozdowice Gozdowice is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Mieszkowice, within Gryfino County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, in north-western Poland, close to the German border. It lies approximately west of Mieszkowice, south of Gryfino, and south of the regional capital Szczecin.Before... |
645,3 | 659 | 31.07.-01.08.1997 |
| Hohensaaten-Finow | 664,9 | 729 | 31.07.1997 |
| Hohensaaten Hohensaaten Hohensaaten is a village and a former municipality in Brandenburg in Germany. Since 1 January 2009, it is part of the municipality Bad Freienwalde.... Ostschleuse OP (Oderseite) |
667,2 | 805 | 31.07.1997 |
| Bielinek Bielinek Bielinek is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Cedynia, within Gryfino County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, in north-western Poland, close to the German border. It lies approximately north-west of Cedynia, south-west of Gryfino, and south-west of the regional capital... |
673,5 | 712 | 31.07.-01.08.1997 |
| Stützkow | 680,5 | 1009 | 29.07.1997 |
| Schwedt Schwedt Schwedt is a city in Brandenburg, Germany. It is the largest city of the district Uckermark near the Oder river on the border with Poland.-Overview:... Oderbrücke |
690,6 | 886 | 02.08.1997 |
| Schwedt Schwedt Schwedt is a city in Brandenburg, Germany. It is the largest city of the district Uckermark near the Oder river on the border with Poland.-Overview:... Schleuse OP (Oderseite) |
697,0 | 840 | 01.-02.08.1997 |
| Widuchowa | 701,8 | 760 | 02.-03.08.1997 |
| Gartz (Oder) | 8,0 | 698 | 01.-02.08.1997 |
| Mescherin Mescherin Mescherin is a municipality in the Uckermark district, in Brandenburg, Germany. It is located on the western shore of the Oder river which is the international border to Poland since 1945.-Overview:... |
14,1 | 672 | 03.08.1997 |
| Gryfino Gryfino Gryfino is a town in Pomerania, northwestern Poland with 22,500 inhabitants . It is also the capital of Gryfino County in West Pomeranian Voivodeship , previously in Szczecin Voivodeship .... |
718,5 | 649 | 03.08.1997 |
| Ückermünde | Oderhaff | 536 | 06.08.1997 |
Damage
The flood took lives of 105-115 people (55 in Poland, 50-60 in Czech Republic) and causing material damages estimated at $4.5 billion (3.8 billion euros in the Czech Republic and Poland and 330 million euros in Germany).In Poland, it is estimated that 7,000 people lost all of their possessions. 9,000 private businesseses were affected, 680,000 houses were damaged or destroyed, as well as 843 schools (100 destroyed), 4,000 bridges (45 destroyed), 14,400 km of roads, 2,000km of railways. In total, 665.835 hectares were affected in Poland (an estimated 2% of Polish total territory). The losses were estimated at 63 billions of Polish zloties (or US$ 2.3-3.5 billion at the 1997 levels). The town of Kłodzko sustained damages equivalent to 50 years of its annual budget.
In the Czech Republic, there were 50 fatalities (another source gives 60). 2151 flats and 48 bridges were destroyed. 538 villages and towns were affected. The losses were estimated at 63 billions of Czech koruna
Czech koruna
The Czech koruna or Czech crown has been the currency of the Czech Republic since 8 February 1993 when, together with its Slovak counterpart, it replaced the Czechoslovak koruna at par....
s. The town of Troubky
Troubky
Troubky is a village and municipality in Přerov District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic.The municipality covers an area of , and has a population of 2,022 ....
was most severely affected.
In Germany there were no fatalities.
Responses
Government response in Czech Republic and Poland was criticized. The flood revealed various inadequacies in decision making and infrastructure, although the unprecedented magnitude of the disaster can be seen as a mitigating factor.Numerous charities provided aid to those affected by the floods.