Water levels continued to rise in the eastern German state ofBrandenburg on Monday, as an UNESCO heritage site was completely flooded in neighbouring Saxony.
The Saxon town of Bad Muskau was hit by flooding from the Neisse River, covering the main square and the UNESCO-protected historic Fürst PücklerPark.
"The park is completely flooded," said Bad Muskau Mayor Andreas Bänder, adding that the water had remained under the high level mark of 1981.
Attempts to protect one main street with sand bags on Sunday night failed as experts repeatedly changed their warning levels, frustrating residents and rescue workers. But water levels, usually around one metre deep, peaked several metres higher.
Still, townspeople did all they could to protect their historic treasures and the Fürst Pückler palace had been secured with sandbags.
“Everything possible was done,” said Gerlind Walter of the state’s LHWZ high water alert authority.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière visited Saxony on Monday, pledging federal help for those regions hit by the flooding.
Rail firm Bombardier in Bautzen had to stop production as water 1.5 metres high flooded into the factory, causing millions in euros in damages.
Meanwhile the neighbouring state of Brandenburg awaited the floods after the water began rising overnight. The authorities were expecting to announce a state of emergency before the end of Monday. The Local DE
