Crisis preparedness in Vienna – water, radio and contact points
Vorrio comes from Vienna. So here is the most important crisis information from the City of Vienna – much of it is useful for other cities too.
Water usually keeps flowing
Vienna's water comes from the Alps and flows into the city by gravity, without pumps. That is why, according to Wiener Wasser, most people in Vienna would still have water at home during a blackout. Higher areas such as Wilhelminenberg are supplied from reservoirs whose pumps have emergency generators.
Exception – high-rise buildings: there, pumps inside the building keep up the pressure. Ask your building management whether these pumps have an emergency generator.
A small water supply at home still makes sense – for example if a pipe in the network breaks. A repair can take up to a day; meanwhile water is supplied from hydrants or tankers.
Radio: Ö3 on FM 99.9
Die Helfer Wiens, Vienna's civil protection association, advises listening to Ö3 on FM 99.9 during a blackout. You need a battery or crank radio for that – or your car radio.
What Die Helfer Wiens recommend
- Plan supplies for 10 to 14 days, including a way to cook without electricity, and light.
- Cash at home, medication and first-aid supplies, take a first-aid course.
- Agree on meeting points and decide who checks on people who need help.
- During a blackout: unplug electrical appliances, check whether anyone is stuck in a lift, keep the fridge closed, help your neighbours.
Die Helfer Wiens also offer free talks, an online course, podcasts and checklists – and personal advice at the Vienna safety centre (Wiener Sicherheitszentrum).
Lichtinseln
Together with religious communities, the city developed the Lichtinseln: rooms for people who need information or someone to talk to in a crisis. They are open to everyone and can be recognised by candles or lanterns at the entrance.
The police as a contact point
According to the Ministry of the Interior, all police stations in Austria – including in Vienna – stay staffed during a blackout.