Krosnowice, Poland. Mr. Kazimierz stands in his flood-damaged apartment, where water reached nearly the ceiling. When the flood wave came, he grabbed his television and called his three cats before escaping to a neighbor living on higher ground.
Krosnowice, Poland. A religious painting remains hanging on the wall of Mr. Kazimierz’s apartment, marking the water level left by the flood. The same image survived the 1997 flood in nearly the exact spot.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. The town center was devastated after a nearby dam burst, sending a powerful wave through the valley. Entire streets were washed away, leaving behind debris, mud, and collapsed buildings.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. A damaged dam after it failed during the flood, triggering a destructive wave that residents say was far more violent than the one in 1997.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. Residents return to flooded neighborhoods to recover belongings and clear debris. Many left their homes with nothing, forced to flee within minutes as the water rapidly rose.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. Roads and infrastructure were torn apart by the force of the water. In some areas, entire sections of streets collapsed.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. Residents walk through a devastated street filled with debris and destroyed infrastructure after the floodwaters swept through the town.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. Heavy machinery clears debris along the river after floodwaters destroyed buildings and reshaped the landscape of the town.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. Inside a temporary aid center, volunteers sort donations as residents gather essential supplies after losing their homes in the flood.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. Pallets of bottled water are stacked outside a relief point as residents collect supplies after the town’s water system was disrupted.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. A resident stands on a darkened street illuminated by emergency lights, as power outages left the town without electricity after the flood.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. Volunteers patrol the streets at night, using flashlights to guard abandoned homes against looting after residents were evacuated.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. A house partially destroyed by the flood stands in darkness, its structure torn apart by the force of the water.
Stronie Śląskie, Poland. The interior of a home is exposed after floodwaters ripped away an exterior wall, leaving everyday life suddenly open to the outside.
Bielice, Poland. Jan walks along a damaged road carrying belongings in a village cut off from the outside world after the flood destroyed roads and bridges.
Bielice, Poland. Roads leading to the village were washed away and bridges destroyed, leaving residents isolated and accessible only by mountain trails.
Bielice, Poland. Jan drives through the affected area, navigating damaged forest roads used as the only access route after the flood cut off the village.
Bielice, Poland. Jan stands beside his horse, Basia, inside a building after the flood, which forced residents to protect their animals as water flooded homes and fields.
Bielice, Poland. Jan stands in front of his home after the flood, which damaged buildings and left the village isolated without access to basic infrastructure.
Nowy Gierałtów, Poland. Teresa stands outside her home in a village cut off from the outside world after floodwaters destroyed roads, bridges, and utilities.
Bielice, Poland. A section of road collapsed into the river after the flood, leaving homes inaccessible and highlighting the scale of infrastructure damage.
