Earth Sciences: Natural Disasters and Hazards: Floods: Past Floods: Europe 2002: Page 2

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.

Some people returned home as flood waters in Prague receded, but many areas of the historic city remained off-limits after the worst flooding in 200 years.

Images and pictures of the European flooding.

Thousands of people were evacuated from areas near Dresden's historic centre today as floodwaters in the Elbe river reached an all-time high, spilling into a square close to some of the city's cultural landmarks.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania were waiting anxiously last night to see if the flood defences they have put in place would hold over the next few days as a renewed surge of water swept down the Elbe and Danube rivers.

Floodwaters produced a fresh crisis in the Czech Republic today as the owner of a chemical plant confirmed a leak of toxic chlorine gas 20km from the capital, Prague.

The bill to repair homes and businesses in flood-stricken countries in mainland Europe is estimated at more than €6bn and could increase as the waters rise, raising the threat of huge insurance claims