Intense thaws following a sudden warming have triggered flood threats in many regions of Poland and France. In Masovia, the Wkra River exceeded alarm levels, flooding several dozen properties, which forced the intervention of emergency services and consideration of using explosives to break up ice jams. Meanwhile, in France, as many as 270 new municipalities have applied for recognition of a state of natural disaster following devastating water surges in February.

Ice Jams in Masovia

The Wkra River has exceeded alarm levels; water has flooded properties, and authorities are considering blowing up the ice jam with dynamite.

Flood Crisis in France

As many as 270 municipalities have applied for declaration of a state of natural disaster following a wave of February floods and water surges.

Impact of Thaws on Agriculture

Water from melting snow aids vegetation in Świętokrzyskie, but excess moisture in fields threatens winter crops.

Infrastructure Degradation

Thaws have exposed potholes in roads and lingering slush in Gdynia and Koszalin, drawing criticism from residents.

The sudden warming at the end of February brought record temperatures to France, which, combined with earlier extreme rainfall, worsened the hydrological situation in Western Europe. In Poland, the situation in the Vistula basin remains stable, despite local fluctuations in water levels. The most critical situation in Poland is currently in Masovia, where the Wkra river has burst its banks due to the formation of a massive ice jam. Local authorities and the fire brigade are monitoring the situation near the towns of Bieżuń and Radzanów, where water has flooded several dozen properties. The situation is so serious that the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) is considering a risky solution involving the use of explosives to blow up the ice sheet to clear the river channel. Similar problems have been reported on the Mławka River, where a red weather alert has been issued. Hydrological services from the IMGW are warning of further surges in Pomerania and Żuławy, where melting snow could paralyze local drainage systems. Historically, ice jams on Polish rivers have been the cause of the largest winter floods, including the tragic Vistula flood near Płock in 1982, which led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. The disappearing snow has also revealed the poor state of urban infrastructure in Gdynia and Koszalin, where thaws have exposed numerous potholes in road surfaces and months-old slush. Residents complain about the sluggishness of municipal services, which have announced cleanup only in April. In agriculture, the situation is ambiguous. While thaws are replenishing soil moisture deficits, which is beneficial for vegetation in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, waterlogged fields in other regions threaten to suffocate winter crops. Farmers face a difficult decision about the potential need to reseed crops. Simultaneously in France, local governments are grappling with the aftermath of floods. Laurent Nuñez reported that the scale of damage in French departments has forced hundreds of town halls to submit applications for systemic aid. The situation in departments such as Maine-et-Loire is slowly stabilizing, but damage cleanup will take months. „Après les crues et inondations de février, 270 nouvelles communes ont demandé l\'état de catastrophe naturelle.” (After the floods and inundations in February, 270 new municipalities have requested a state of natural disaster.) — Laurent Nuñez

Mentioned People

  • Laurent Nuñez — French state official informing about flood consequences and applications for a state of natural disaster.
  • Marcin Kierwiński — Head of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration intervening in the matter of the ice jam in Masovia.