Hailstorm and mudslide trigger emergency response in Pongau

Severe storms and strong winds brought heavy hail and a mudslide to Salzburg’s Pongau district, ORF reported. In St. Johann-Alpendorf, a mudslide covered the Großarler Landesstraße (L109), which was briefly closed.

In total, 185 firefighters across Salzburg responded to flooding and smaller landslides. The Pinzgau district also saw numerous storm-related callouts, particularly in Maishofen and Taxenbach.

Wagrain was hit by a hail front that covered roads and public spaces with a layer resembling snow within a short time. The hail severely affected traffic, and roads were temporarily closed.

Firefighters and municipal workers cleared the roads using two wheel loaders and a tractor, forming large piles of hail in the Pongau municipality. They also pumped out a cellar and a shaft filled with water.