The Flood of the Millennium: Wrocław 1997

In July 1997, the city of Wroclaw faced its greatest challenge. This is the

story of the Flood of the Millennium. Extreme rainfall caused the Odra River

to swell to unprecedented levels, catching the entire region by complete surprise.

The water breached the embankments, inundating nearly half of the city and leaving thousands

of residents stranded. Citizens united in a heroic effort, forming human chains to pass sandbags

and protect the historic Old Town. The aftermath was devastating, with thousands of

homes destroyed and billions in infrastructure damage across the city. Today,

Wroclaw stands resilient, having transformed its urban planning with advanced flood gates and modern drainage