One dead, another missing in north Romania because of flooding
Meteorologists warn eight counties might be affected by floods in upcoming days
published in issue 3704 page 5 at 2006-06-19
Heavy rains caused havoc again on Sunday through Monday night in Maramures, Mures, Harghita and Suceava Counties. One of the most affected areas is Maramures County, where 100 households were flooded and several roads, bridges and footbridges were destroyed. One person was injured, another one is missing, and the road traffic carried on with difficulty on several county roads. The injured person is from Sighetu Marmatiei and was taken urgently to the hospital. Flash floods damaged households in four Maramures communes Botiza, Poienile Izei, Sieu and Rozavlea. The floods affected two county roads too, one of them being blocked at the moment between Sieu and Poienile Izei, where landslides were reported.

Flash flood in Hunedoara

A heavy rain struck on Sunday evening three localities from Hunedoara, flooding the yards of over 100 households. Rocks, soil and trees that fell from the neighbouring hills blocked 150 metres of the national road 66A. The most serious situation is in Sacel village, where over 50 houses and the school are flooded. Here, a lightning killed the shepherd and his 130 sheep. There were flooded Santamaria, Orlea, Ohaba, Ciopeia and Sacel villages from Hateg area. The yards, the basements and the wells are now full with water and mud. The water and mud blocked 150 metres of the road which ties Hateg and Petrosani. Hunedoara road workers and the firemen intervened with pumps and machines to remove the mud and the rocks on the road. This is the fourth storm that struck Hateg area in the last two weeks.

European road 576 from Suceava broken, 50 households flooded

Heavy rain was registered in Suceava too. In only half an hour, Bucovat rivulet increased, and over 50 households and outbuildings were flooded. Rain water flooded over 50 houses in Paltinoasa, Manastirea Humorului and Valea Moldovei localities. Road traffic on DE 576 which ties Suceava and Vatra Dornei is carried on a single lane because of the water and mud on the road. The rivulet overflowed its banks, broke five bridges and flooded tens of houses. The inhabitants tried to improvise dams, in the attempt to protect their assets.

Flooding danger in eight counties

The Ministry of Environment informs that, for the following days, there are forecasted increases of river levels, with the possibility of exceeding the flooding and danger levels on the rivers from Satu Mare, Maramures, Salaj, Cluj, Bistrita Nasaud, Neamt, Suceava and Botosani counties, because of the precipitations that will be reported in these areas. At the same time, there is estimated an increase of Prut River level, as result of the rains that fell on the higher stream, on the territory of Ukraine.
by Simona Popescu

This entire family are living in an old army tent, which is already in tatters and provides minimal protection from the elements.
None of these families had any form of insurance and there seems to be nothing available from the local authorities to help them re-establish their homes.
All they have been told is that they should rebuild on higher ground next time but there is no infrastructure on the higher land, no water supplies, sewerage or electricity, which all needs to be installed before they can start to rebuild their lives.