In July, heavy rains triggered flash floods across northeastern Romania. Commander Marian Ruscan, Unit Commander of the Suceava Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, and his small team of emergency responders were first to arrive at the scene in Suceava County, one of the most badly affected areas.
In torrential rain, cut off from contact with other rescue units due to extreme weather conditions, Ruscan’s team worked through the night, before receiving news in the early hours, that 200 people were trapped in their houses in the nearby town of Broșteni, which had become completely isolated due to blocked roads.
“When the sun rose, it’s hard to describe what we saw. The scene was like some kind of war. Houses were destroyed; some houses were thrown from their places by the force of the river – a river that in normal times you can cross by foot.”
Well-coordinated response teams
His team managed to evacuate a few people by boat and on foot. But despite the urgent need, they could do little for the remaining trapped townspeople until further help arrived – in the form of 5 helicopters provided by the Romanian Ministry of Interior’s General Aviation Inspectorate.
“Everything was destroyed. We had no access to people. It’s a very strange feeling to be close to people – you can see them, and you realise the danger that they’re facing, but you can’t do anything about it. There were mothers who had children in the houses. I’m a father and I don’t want to ever live through something like that.”
In total, 110 people were airlifted to safety during this mission, making it the largest flood rescue operation by helicopters in Romanian history.
Sadly, 3 people lost their lives in the immediate floods, but Commander Ruscan’s team – aided by the helicopters, support from a mountain rescue team, heavy machinery and timely information provided by local people – was able to locate and evacuate all of the stranded residents. In total, over 1200 people were mobilized to help in the counties of Neamț and Suceava, both severely affected by the flooding.
Dr Caroline Clarinval, WHO Representative in Romania, stated: “Flooding can have devastating effects, but when communities are well-prepared and response teams are coordinated, lives can be saved. The recent flash floods in Suceava County highlight the dedication of first responders and the importance of swift action and emergency preparedness. By facilitating the provision of technical advice and equipment, the WHO Country Office remains committed to supporting Romania in building resilient systems that protect vulnerable populations, ensuring rapid recovery and minimizing health risks in the face of natural disasters”.
Emergency planning is critical
This rapid, coordinated response was only possible because of Romania’s investment in emergency preparedness – early warning systems, trained responders and cross-agency collaboration – all of which played a critical role in reducing casualties during these unprecedented floods.
Without Romania’s attention to emergency planning, Commander Ruscan believes the death toll could have been much higher. Thanks to the country’s emergency alert system, RO-ALERT, advanced weather warnings were sent directly to cell phones, enabling many at risk to move to higher ground and avoid injury.
However, he worries that not everyone takes emergency alerts seriously or responds with the necessary urgency: “People should listen more to the authorities when they send these messages. They’re serious, they’re real and many times, they save lives”.
Restoring normality, adapting to change
As the extensive clean-up operation continues, Commander Ruscan urges caution for those returning to flooded properties, which may be unstable and unsanitary. His team is now working hand-in-hand with other agencies and more than 310 volunteers to help restore normality to the affected region.
“We should believe that the weather is changing, and I think it’s because of us. We have to adapt. In the last few days, I feel like I have lived half a lifetime. A small part of our memory will always remain with this event. But we will carry on. We have work to do.”
Commander Ruscan’s reflections underscore the critical importance of heeding warnings and adapting to changing conditions. Complementing this, Tanja Schmidt, Programme Area Manager for Preparedness, Readiness and Capacity Building, WHO/Europe, emphasizes that preparedness – including robust early-warning systems and coordinated multisector action – is essential to protect communities and save lives.
“With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, emergency preparedness is essential. Effective disaster response and health protection rely on multisector preparedness – coordinated efforts in planning and exercising, search and rescue, logistics, shelter, protection, water and sanitation, food security, and education are essential to minimize harm and save lives. They must all work together to safeguard communities and prevent further harm,” says Schmidt.
Keeping safe before, during and after floods
WHO/Europe has published public health guidance for individuals on protecting health and keeping safe before, during and after floods. The guidance recommends:
- avoiding entering flood waters or unstable structures, and if stranded, waiting for rescue without venturing into unsafe areas;
- staying informed and following guidance from local authorities, and only returning home once it has been declared safe; and
- before consuming water or food or using home utilities, ensuring that everything is safe and maintaining strict hygiene at all times.
For more detailed health advice, follow the link.
Events like this highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in emergency preparedness, early warning systems and integrated response efforts to protect communities facing increasingly extreme weather.
The climate crisis has taken a mounting toll on the WHO European Region in recent years, influencing the intensity and extremity of weather events. The scale of the floods in the Region over recent years is another reminder of the urgent need for countries to work jointly on combating climate change and its impacts on health. This commitment is spelled out in the groundbreaking Budapest Declaration that emerged from the 2023 Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health.