The European Union will make billions of euros available to help central Europe recover from severe floods, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday, as she pledged support for regions that have been devastated by the deluge.

A massive floodwave moving across Central Europe is threatening new areas and raising concerns among residents and leaders.

WARSAW, Poland -- European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pledged billions of dollars in aid for Central European countries that suffered enormous damage to infrastructure and housing during the massive flooding that has so far claimed 24 lives in the region.

Just a week ago, before deadly floods swept through central Europe, the Czech Republic looked on track to become the first country in the region since COVID-19 to pull its budget deficit firmly below the 3% of GDP cap set by European Union rules.

Soldiers and residents in southwestern Poland are laying sandbags near swollen rivers in the region of Wroclaw as they work to safeguard homes and businesses after days of flooding across Central Euro

A massive flood wave moving across Central Europe is threatening new areas and raising concerns among residents and officials.

Central Europe is experiencing the worst floods in at least two decades, with a trail of destruction from Romania to Poland and and the deaths of at least 23 people so far.

The flooding in Poland has burst dams and embankments while receding waters left streets covered in piles of debris and mud.