When the ‘flood of the century’ crippled Switzerland
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Government officials from canton Thurgau, near the northeast border with Germany, inspect the damage in June 1999. (Keystone/Christoph Ruckstuhl) Keystone / Christoph Ruckstuhl -
The heavy rainfall which lasted 24 hours finally overflowed the Linth Canal in the northeast on May 22, 1999. (Keystone/Michele Limina) Keystone / Michele Limina -
The flooded city of Bern resembling the canals of Venice. A boat taxi service was set up to help residents get home dry. (Keystone/Jurg Müller) Keystone / Juerg Mueller -
Lanes of the N13 motorway were closed due to flooding near the eastern town of Maienfeld, May 22, 1999. (Keystone/Michele Limina) Keystone / Gstoehl -
Civil defence crews helped the city of Lucerne in central Switzerland with filling sandbags, to stem the flood damage to the city. (Keystone/Guido Roeoesli) Keystone / Guido Roeoesli
When the “flood of the century” coursed through Switzerland 20 years ago, lakes and rivers overflowed and left a terrible mess in their wake.
Severe flooding in May 1999 killed one person and injured several others. Damage to property and infrastructure was severe, racking up thousands of insurance claims worth millions of Swiss francs. Especially hard hit were communities near Bern and in central and eastern Switzerland. In some cases, the entire ground floors of homes and businesses were filled with water. The experience forced the local authorities to come up with better ways of preventing future flood damage.
These days, Switzerland has much more detailed hazard mapsExternal link – which calculate the risk of flooding, rock- and landslides and avalanches. Federal and cantonal governments have also earmarked funds for mitigation initiatives.
This money has gone towards various measures, like pipelines being laid under vulnerable towns. Also, floodplains have been dug along the Aare River, which flows from Lake Thun and into the Swiss capital, Bern.
Switzerland experienced another “once-in-a-lifetime” flood in August 2005, affecting many of the same areas.
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