Nysa fights the element. Mayor of self-evacuation appeals

Nysa faced an expanding flood risk. The city's mayor, Kordian Colbiar, appealed to residents to consider self-evacuation, which means voluntary displacement outside the danger region before an authoritative evacuation order was issued. "I ask you to consider self-evacuating, that is, moving outside the danger zone," said Kolbiar on his Facebook profile, informing about the unpredictability of the situation and danger from the uplifted river Nysa Kłodzka.

A city cut off from the world

The situation in Nysa is deteriorating rapidly. Tygodnik Podhalanski reports that the city has been “cut off from the world”. Both bridges and main roads became impassable, and the water began flooding further streets. Worse still, the strong current prevents emergency services from operating. There was a situation where firefighters were forced to evacuate their crew from the fire truck.

"Both bridges in Nysa are no longer accessible, the city has been cut off from the world," said Tygodnik Podhalański, describing the dramatic situation in the city.

Mayor's Appeal and Emergency Services Activities

In his appeal, Mayor Kolbiar stressed that the situation is highly unpredictable and the city authorities are incapable to accurately find the strength and direction of the forthcoming flood wave. "Unfortunately, we are incapable to find the strength and directions of the flood. mostly safe is beyond the river!” added the mayor.

Several 100 firefighters from all over Poland are involved. The spokesperson for the Provincial Police Department in Opole, Captain Łukasz Nowak, informed PAP that firefighters are working intensively to evacuate the population and safe the endangered facilities.

Flood wave approaching Nysa

At 17:20 p.m., the water level in Nysa Kłodzka reached 688 centimeters, beating the evidence flood condition of 1997. The coming wave, which has already caused harm in Kłodzek, is about to scope Nysa, and the water has already begun entering the city center. The situation is serious adequate to evacuate the infirmary that was in the flooded zone.

The flood of more than 2 decades ago inactive remains a painful memory for many inhabitants of the region. In 1997, during the alleged flood of the millennium, Nysa and many another cities in the south of Poland suffered from catastrophic rains and fast rises in the level of rivers.

Evacuation and cancelled classes in schools

As a consequence of the deteriorating flood situation throughout the district, classes were suspended in schools. Families who live in the most endangered areas were informed of the request to evacuate, and many residents decided to voluntarily leave their homes.

“Water has already entered the city center. The hospital, which had been evacuated before, was flooded,” reports the local press, pointing to the increasing problems associated with the constant increase in water levels.

How to prepare for self-evacuation?

In the face of an expanding threat, it is worth recalling the basic principles of self-evacueation. If specified a request is declared by the local authorities, residents should:

• Quickly pack the essential items, including documents, medicines, food, water, and clothing.
• Leave your homes in an organized way, following the instructions of emergency services.
• Avoid driving in areas where water floods the road and traffic is difficult.

In the current situation of unpredictability of the flood direction and the wave force that may yet come, self-evacuation may be the best solution to guarantee itself and its loved ones' safety.

Summary

Nysa is facing an expanding flood risk, which may shortly turn into a disaster. Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz's appeal for self-evacuation, support from hundreds of firefighters from all over Poland and increased efforts of emergency services show how serious the situation is. Recommendations for self-evacuation should be taken seriously by residents in order to minimise the hazard of failure of life and health.