Landsat 8 Satellite Images Reveal the Epic Scale of European Floods Caused byStorm Boris
Europe’s heartland endured devastating floods in September 2024, triggered by a relentless storm system known as Boris. The storm, characterized by unprecedented rainfall, caused rivers like the Oder and Danube to overflow,inundating vast swathes of land in Poland, Slovakia, and other nations.
The unique meteorological conditions that fueled Boris involved a clash between a cold Arctic air mass andwarm Mediterranean air. This convergence created a persistent storm system that lingered for days, unleashing torrential downpours.
Landsat 8 Satellite Images Capture the Devastation
The severity of the floods is starkly evident insatellite imagery captured by Landsat 8. Images from September 4th (above) show the Oder River in southeastern Poland before the floods. Just 16 days later, on September 20th (below), the river has transformed into araging torrent, spilling over its banks and submerging surrounding areas.
2024 年 9 月 4 日波兰奥得河 2024 年 9 月 4 日波兰东南部奥得河洪水前的注释卫星图像，由大地遥感卫星 8 号上的陆地成像仪于 2024 年 9 月 4 日获取。
2024 年 9 月 20 日波兰奥得河 2024 年 9 月 20 日波兰东南部奥得河洪水沿岸的注释卫星图像，由大地遥感卫星 8 号上的陆地成像仪于 2024 年 9 月 20 日获取。
A Perfect Storm: The Formation of Boris
Between September 11th and 18th, a low-pressure storm system unleashed torrential rain across parts of Austria, Poland, Slovakia, andthe Czech Republic. The storm’s genesis lay in a surge of Arctic cold air invading Southern Europe, colliding with warm, moist air from the Mediterranean. This low-pressure system became isolated from the prevailing jet stream, creating a cut-off low that stalled over the region for days.
According to the European Centre forMedium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), this system, christened Storm Boris by the UK Met Office, had the most significant impact on the Czech Republic and Austria, delivering three times the average September rainfall in a single week. In eastern Austria, near Vienna, rainfall reached 215 millimeters (8.5 inches) in a week. However, the consequences of all this precipitation extended far beyond the hardest-hit areas.
The Oder River Overflows
On September 18th, water levels along the Oder River in southeastern Poland surpassed the highest alert level set by the country’s Institute of Meteorologyand Water Management. The Oder, originating in the Czech Republic’s Oder Mountains, flows north through Poland towards Germany. The image above (bottom), taken on September 20th, reveals the river overflowing its banks near Wrocław, inundating surrounding neighborhoods.
The Impact of Boris
The floods caused byStorm Boris resulted in widespread devastation across Central and Eastern Europe. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their flooded towns. The economic and social consequences of this disaster are still being assessed, but it is clear that Boris will leave a lasting mark on the region.
Landsat 8’sRole in Monitoring Disasters
The Landsat 8 satellite, equipped with the Operational Land Imager (OLI), provides valuable insights into the impact of natural disasters like floods. These images offer a unique perspective on the scale of the devastation, helping scientists, policymakers, and humanitarian organizations respond effectively to the crisis.
Moving Forward
The floods caused by Storm Boris highlight the increasing vulnerability of Europe to extreme weather events. As climate change continues to alter weather patterns, we can expect more frequent and intense storms. It is crucial to invest in early warning systems, flood mitigation infrastructure, and disaster preparedness measures to minimize the impact of future events.
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