‘Catastrophe of epic proportions’: Death toll rises to 18 as storm lashes central Europe [Video]

LAST UPDATE | 20 hrs ago

FLOODING SPARKED BY Storm Boris in central Europe has burst dams, knocked out power and killed at least 18 people, authorities said today.

High winds and unusually heavy rainfall have hit swathes of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia since Friday.

Soldiers build barriers with sandbags against flood water at the bank of Danube River in Pilismarot, Hungary. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The rains have flooded streets and submerged entire neighbourhoods in some places, while shutting down public transport and electricity in others.

The storm has caused the deaths of seven people in Romania, four in Poland, four in Austria and three in the Czech Republic, according to the latest tallies. Several people remain missing.

“I have lived for some 25 years in this area, and I have never before seen such an intensity” of flooding, Vienna resident Thomas Hofbauer, 57, told AFP as he described …