Panic, chaos expected: A total flood threatens; "Cancel everything"

Authorities have preemptively released water from many dams to increase their capacity for the upcoming storm.

In the Vrané Hydroelectric Power Station on Vltava, south of Prague, the flow of water has been increased from the previous 40 to 120 cubic meters per second. Similar efforts have also been made to create space in reservoirs along rivers in the eastern part of the country.

"The situation we expect in the next four, maybe five days, is unfortunately very similar to the situation during the great floods of 1997 and 2002," warned Czech Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík.

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan has called for the cancellation of social events planned for the next few days, particularly activities near rivers and streams.

Anyone living in flood prone areas is advised to be prepared for a potential evacuation.