Earth Sciences: Natural Disasters and Hazards: Floods: Past Floods: Europe 2002

Flood levels on the river Elbe are at a record high, forcing thousands of people from their homes as the city tries to protect its treasures.

The German government, keen not to be seen as tight-fisted in an election year, promises a generous response to patch up flood damage.

Images of the floods which have swept across Europe.

Priceless works of art and historic cultural landmarks appear to have been saved from the devastating floods in Prague and Dresden.

Rescuers rush art works to higher floors as floodwater strikes ornate Baroque buildings restored after wartime bombing.

More than 90 people are killed as floods sweep through countries from Germany to Russia.

Nick Thorpe reports from Austria where scientists claim the current flooding could have been prevented.

An elephant and a hippopotamus are dead and a gorilla is missing after flood waters swamped Prague's zoo.

A Czech theatre company at the Edinburgh Fringe speak of their helplessness as flooding in Prague threatens their families and livelihood.

Flooding in Europe looks set seriously to disrupt the Czech Republic's economy, forcing the government to borrow more.

BBC journalist Michal Ruzicka and his family were among those evacuated from the Karlin district of Prague, along with thousands of others.

Thousands are evacuated from the heart of the Czech capital, threatened by floods that are causing havoc across Europe.

The Czech capital, currently enduring its worst floods in more than a century, is one of Europe's most treasured cities.

Images of the flooding causing havoc in Russia and parts of eastern and central Europe.

A dam in south-east Germany bursts and cities are on the alert as flood waters sweep in from the Czech Republic.

Andrew Gardner, editor at Prague-based Internet magazine Transitions Online (TOL), tells CNN how people living and working in Prague are coping with the flood damage to their homes and property, and the massive clean-up operation.

Flood waters are continuing to retreat from record levels in some parts of the Czech capital Prague, allowing the clean-up operation to begin and residents to return to their homes.

The southern German city of Dresden continued its evacuation of residents and treasures as officials warned the river level had yet to reach its peak.

The people of the Slovakian capital breathe a cautious sigh of relief but the danger has not yet passed.

The people of Bratislava are anxiously hoping the flood wave will pass without the river rising further.

As water levels start to recede, Prague surveys the damage inflicted by the worst floods in the Czech capital for 200 years.

Tension mounts in the Czech capital amid fears that the rising river Vltava may burst through defences and swamp the historic Old Town.

The Vltava river is on the brink of bursting through flood barriers in the Czech capital, as more people flee their homes across the country.

Rescue work continues on Russia's Black Sea coast where 21 die in flooding, as other parts of Europe suffer severe downpours.

An emergency is declared after floods strike the Black Sea coast, leaving at least two dead and forcing hundreds to evacuate.