Severe weather warning issued as Frequency Festival opens

Organisers issued a severe weather warning after heavy rain hit the FM4 Frequency Festival in St. Pölten on Thursday evening, ORF reported. The festival’s opening had otherwise remained calm, with only minor traffic congestion and a small number of injuries.

Visitors were told to enter the festival grounds only in rainproof clothing and to secure their tents against the wind. An evacuation was not considered necessary as of Thursday evening. ORF’s weather desk said heavy rain was expected to continue for several hours but was not expected to intensify.

The three-day festival brings international and Austrian acts to the capital of Lower Austria. Thursday’s headliners include Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., pop star Lorde and Kraftklub. Star DJ James Hype is also scheduled to perform an interactive show with the audience.

Traffic on roads leading to the grounds was slow at times, but there had been few major delays during arrivals, which were spread over several days. The Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club said roadside assistance operations had also remained quiet.

The Red Cross had provided medical treatment to 115 people by Thursday afternoon, with 10 taken to hospital. Most cases involved minor injuries, including grazes, cuts, sprains, pain and insect bites. City police commander Franz Bäuchler said the festival had so far been very calm from a police perspective.