In the aftermath of the severe storm, the Austrian Armed Forces carry out an assistance operation in the state of Carinthia. Among other things, two helicopters and around 100 soldiers are used.

Heavy storms and massive rainfall have caused mudslides, flooding and chaos, especially in the Villach and Villach-Land districts. Many roads are impassable. Trees were also knocked over by gusts of wind and basements were muddy. A reconnaissance team from the Villach engineers had been deployed since the early hours of the morning to assess the location and extent of the damage. 

The first extent of the damage has shown that the priority is first to clear the federal and state roads in the neighboring valley in order to be able to proceed further with the equipment and the personnel of the emergency organization in the Treffen and Arriach area and also to eliminate the debris flows in the villages. It is currently not possible to estimate how long the deployment will last.

“The situation for the affected population is dramatic. Our pioneers have been in action since the morning hours and are helping with strength and technology, i.e. with excavators, helicopters and shovels, to eliminate the extent of the damage. A total of 100 soldiers from Engineer Battalion 1 from Villach are there to help the population in these difficult hours. Our army helps where it is urgently needed, the Austrians can certainly rely on that," said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).