Current:Home > StocksSlovenia's flood damage could top 500 million euros, its leader says -Wealth Evolution Experts
Slovenia's flood damage could top 500 million euros, its leader says
View
Date:2025-04-18 01:46:07
Slovenia has faced the worst-ever natural disaster in its history, Prime Minister Robert Golob said Saturday, after devastating floods caused damage estimated at half a billion euros ($550 million).
Devastating floods on Thursday and Friday killed three people and destroyed roads, bridges and houses in the small Alpine country. Two thirds of the territory had been affected, Golob said.
The floods were "the biggest natural disaster" in Slovenia's history, Golob said after a meeting of the country's National Security Council on Saturday. "Luckily, last night was easier than the one before."
After three weather-related deaths were reported on Friday, Slovenian media said on Saturday that one more person was found dead in the capital Ljubljana. Police are yet to confirm the report.
The floods were caused by torrential rains on Friday which caused rivers to swell swiftly and burst into houses, fields and towns. Slovenia's weather service said a month's worth of rain fell in less than a day.
Experts say extreme weather conditions are partly fueled by climate change. Parts of Europe saw record heat and battled wildfires during the summer.
Golob said road and energy infrastructure were hit particularly hard, as well as hundreds of homes and other buildings. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes and many had to be rescued by helicopters or firefighters in boats.
Slovenia's army has joined the relief effort, with troops reaching cut off areas in the north to help.
Photos from the scene showed entire villages under water, outdoor camping sites destroyed, cars stuck in mud and children's toys crammed against fences.
The STA news agency reported that major roads in parts of Slovenia also remained partially closed on Saturday because of the flooding, including the main highway through the country. Dozens of bridges have also collapsed, and the authorities urged people not to go anywhere until damage is fully assessed.
Several severe storms in the Alpine nation earlier in the summer blew off roofs, downed thousands of trees and killed one person in Slovenia and four others elsewhere in the region.
Flash floods were reported also in neighboring Austria, where some 80 people were forced temporarily to leave their homes in the southern Carinthia province.
Last month, three people died in Serbia during another deadly storm that ripped through the Balkans, local media reported. The storm first swept through Slovenia, moving on to Croatia and then Serbia and Bosnia, with gusts of wind and heavy rain.
- In:
- Slovenia
- Flood
veryGood! (81)
Related
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- For Florida Corals, Unprecedented Marine Heat Prompts New Restoration Strategy—On Shore
- Jelly Roll stops show to get chair for cancer survivor: See video
- After Navajo Nation Condemns Uranium Hauling on Its Lands, Arizona Governor Negotiates a Pause
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Katie Ledecky makes Olympic history again, winning 800m freestyle gold for fourth time
- U.S. defense secretary rejects plea deal for 9/11 mastermind, puts death penalty back on table
- Ballerina Farm, Trad Wives and the epidural conversation we should be having
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Who's golden? The final round of men's golf at Paris Olympics sets up to be fascinating
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- What to watch: Workin' on our Night moves
- 'We feel deep sadness': 20-year-old falls 400 feet to his death at Grand Canyon
- A year after Maui wildfire, chronic housing shortage and pricey vacation rentals complicate recovery
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Street artists use their art to express their feelings about Paris Olympics
- When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympics beam finals on tap
- Olympic Athletes' Surprising Day Jobs, From Birthday Party Clown to Engineer
Recommendation
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Tropical Glaciers in the Andes Are the Smallest They’ve Been in 11,700 Years
About half of US state AGs went on France trip sponsored by group with lobbyist and corporate funds
When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympics beam finals on tap
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Teddy Riner lives out his dream of gold in front of Macron, proud French crowd
Why It Ends With Us Author Colleen Hoover Is Confused by Critics of Blake Lively's Costumes
Federal judge rules that Florida’s transgender health care ban discriminates against state employees