Speaking at a crisis management meeting in Warsaw on Wednesday morning, Tusk stressed the need to be ready for any scenario, even though the previous night had not brought major incidents.
“The weather situation is not stable. We must be prepared for every eventuality,” he said.
Poland braces for potential flood emergency
Tusk was joined by key ministers, including Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak, State Coordination Minister Marcin Kierwiński, as well as the heads of Poland’s meteorological service (IMGW) and the national water authority.
The Prime Minister thanked the military and emergency services for their early and effective response, including the evacuation of youth camps at risk from flash flooding.
Donald Tusk also warned against underestimating forecasts, recalling that before severe floods in September 2024, weather predictions appeared relatively mild. “I would like us not to allow ourselves optimistic interpretations of forecasts, which at the moment don’t sound alarming,” Tusk cautioned.
“The only principle we are following today is ‘a wise Pole before the damage is done.’ We are fully prepared and continuously monitoring the situation,” assured the head of the Polish government.
Minister Siemoniak said that cooperation between the military and interior ministry services has never been stronger, crediting lessons learned during last year’s floods, the Belarus border crisis, and recent border controls with Germany and Lithuania.
Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak stressed during the crisis meeting that all agencies under the Ministry of Infrastructure - including not just IMGW and Wody Polskie, but also those overseeing road, rail, and air transport - are on high alert to ensure continuity of operations.
“We entered emergency and flood response mode well in advance. We are analyzing every scenario presented by IMGW, but we’re preparing for the least optimistic one,” he said.
Officials plan to hold additional meetings in the coming days to coordinate efforts and monitor conditions on the ground.
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Source: KPRM/MSWiA/X/@MI_GOV_PL/@donaldtusk