In spring 2010 the Eastern Europe was flooded. On 19 may 2010 the Vistula river reached the highest level in this region since 1860. It broke its embankments in Sandomierz – one of the oldest and most beautiful Polish cities. 100km2 disappeared under water, 5.000 inhabitants had to be evacuated. Two weeks later the second flooding wave came, causing even more destruction.
Floods are a recurrent problem in Poland. The rivers are unregulated, there are not enough retention reservoirs; infrastructure, efficient warning systems as well as legal regulations are lacking. Because of missing development plans, there are almost no limitations in regard to the housing on flood plains. And people built their houses hoping that nothing bad will happen. There are no obligatory insurances for them. The compensations paid by the government are spent on reconstructions on the exactly the same place. In the public awareness the flood problem concerns other people – not us.