Storm damage from summer higher than expected
politics
The state of Salzburg corrected the storm damage from the summer upwards – and now to more than 41 million euros. In an initial assessment, the economic consequences of floods, mudslides and heavy rain were estimated at around 31 million. The money for the population is now flowing gradually.
The center of the Tennengau district town of Hallein was hit particularly hard by the raging Kothbach. The floods in July damaged around 300 residential buildings there – with a total damage of twelve million euros. So far, 149 inquiries have been submitted to the Disaster Fund. 80 percent of this has already been done, according to the state of Salzburg.
Hard time for western Oberpinzgau
In addition, the floods in July hit the communities of Neukirchen am Großvenediger, Bramberg, Stuhlfelden, Uttendorf, Niedernsill (all Pinzgau) and Kuchl (Tennengau) particularly hard.
Damage totaling eleven million euros was incurred by a total of 73 companies across the country. In addition, there were 2,200 hectares of agricultural land, where damage of 5.6 million occurred. It was around two million euros for rural infrastructure such as goods and forest roads, bridges and access roads.
Pongau also badly hit
In August, the storms left their mark on 230 buildings in Pongau. Mainly St. Johann, Wagrain, Flachau and Altenmarkt were affected. In the case of the disaster fund, the amount of damage is estimated at eleven million euros. Floods and mudslides have also damaged farms, agricultural land and infrastructure. The train station in Krimml (Pinzgau) was devastated by mudslides three times.
National Council defended investments
According to the Provincial Councilor Josef Schwaiger (ÖVP), the enormous investments in flood protection and torrent control prevented damage to an even greater extent: “At the same time, however, it became clear that one hundred percent protection is not possible.”
Protests in Oberpinzgau
In the Oberpinzgau alone, around 100 million euros have been invested in flood prevention over the past decade, according to Schwaiger. Nine communities there are now demanding better flood protection on the Salzach and in the Tauern valleys in a petition that has been imposed. Protective structures should also be built in the national park for this purpose.