Poland braces as flood wave hits southwestern city of Wroclaw

​​​​​​​By Jo Harper

WARSAW (AA) - Flooding hit the southwestern Polish city of Wroclaw on Thursday after days of torrential rain that have seen rivers bursting their banks in Poland, Austria, Czechia and Romania, leaving seven dead in Poland.

The Defense Ministry said 10,000 soldiers have been drafted in to help combat the floods, build defenses and provide aid.

Defense Minister Wladysław Kosiniak-Kamysz allocated 500 military police to work with an additional 500 police officers to secure evacuated areas from looting.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a state of natural disaster in the flooded areas on Sept. 18, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, arrived Thursday in Wroclaw to assess the aftermath.

Tusk also said a relief fund for victims will be doubled and the finance minister informed him that €468 million in total has been made available for the relief fund.

Tusk said the total losses could amount to several billion zlotys.

Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski told a crisis meeting in Wroclaw that the government would pay installments of mortgages for those whose houses had been flooded.

Damage from Storm Boris in Poland could total 1% of the country’s economic output, or $9 billion.

Highways are so far unaffected, with more disturbance to local roads.

Tusk welcomed the news that Poland would receive financial help from the EU.

“I will be urging other countries that have also been affected by the floods to join us in pressing the European Commission firmly,” he said.

Tusk raised concerns about reports of rising prices for essential items such as rubber boots and gloves in areas affected.