Massive flooding sweeps through central Europe

Floods have swept through Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland and the Czech Republic during the past week, resulting in thousands of home evacuations and several deaths. 

The flooding has caused officials in the Czech capital Prague to shut down the subway system after declaring a state of emergency. Trains in Austria were suspended due to mudslides. In neighboring countries, officials are preparing flood defenses in case the water continues to rise and spread. 

Rescue workers, volunteers and military personnel from the affected countries are working together to aid evacuations and construct temporary water barriers against the floods. 

Weather forecasts predict that the rain will soon stop, but officals will remain on high alert until the water recedes.