1927 Liechtenstein flood: Difference between revisions

On 25 September 1927, the Alpine Rhine burst its banks upstream of Schaan. It destroyed large portions of Schaan, Gamprin and Ruggell, reaching as far as Tosters, Austria resulting in the deaths of two people and costing Liechtenstein 3.5 million Swiss francs in repairs.^[1] The event had devasting effects on Liechtenstein’s economy, and severely set back its financial development.

The previous year, the Liechtenstein government had warned that the bridges along the Rhine were too low and that it posed a flood risk. The flood destroyed the Schaan Rhine railway bridge, large amounts of housing and farmland. Immediately following the flood, prime minister Gustav Schädler and president of the Landtag Wilhelm Beck sought aid from Switzerland, Germany, the Pope and American donors, securing a 1.5 million francs loan from Switzerland. In addition, Johann II donated another 1 million to support repairs.

Rescue efforts included operations from both the Swiss and Austrian militaries, and clean-up included international scouts. The Austrian Federal Railways had rebuilt the Schaan railway bridge by November. The flood prompted the Liechtenstein government to work on raising the Rhine dykes and also lowering the river bed.^[1] In addition, it prompted the establishment of Liechtenstein state savings and loan bank.