Fighting the floods: Your say

(CNN) -- We have had hundreds of e-mails from people fighting the floods in central Europe -- and from worried friends and relatives.

These are some of your stories.

To Sasha in Czech Republic: In the future, when all this has calmed down, you should contact the national humane society and ask if they coordinate a plan to help animals in emergency situations. In the U.S. we have the Animal Planet Rescue project in conjunction with the American Humane Association and they are always ready to get to a natural disaster site to assist. Jennifer Ethington, USA

EXTRA INFORMATION Images of flooding in central and eastern Europe    RESOURCES • Prague: Five-day weather forecast    CNN.com Europe More news  from our European edition

My son lives in Dessau a little north of Dresden, he just called and said that his little city is starting to flood. The city is preparing for a lot more water. Hopefully they won't get it as bad but now the train tracks are washing away so that will hamper the trains. Duana Congin, USA

The downtown area in Bratislava appears to be the hardest hit area. Soldiers and Police were patrolling to prevent looting. A friend brought their computer to us in the suburbs for safe keeping. There seems to be a concern about the stability of the foundations of some of the oldest buildings near the Danube. Public transportation is still functioning well. About 10 miles from Bratislava, the little village of Devin is more seriously affected. Residents have been evacuated. This village lies at the confluence of the Danube and Morava Rivers. American in Bratislava, Slovak Republic

You can see the damage and destruction on TV, but what is hidden beneath those scared faces is the spark of hope and strength. Now I know my family and friends are safe, but the effects of these floods will haunt Czech and Europe for years. But after reading comments from people worldwide, I know that the compassion from all of you worldwide will help to overcome this tragedy, as we will once overcome the tragedy of 9-11. Together. Jirka Marousek, USA

Thank goodness for my friend, Jana Rajacova in Bratislava or we wouldn't know what's going on. Thank you for posting her interesting news story. You should hire her as a reporter. Pam Hindis, USA

I am from Budapest (Hungary). Our country is missing from the maps with "worst hit areas" but even our capital is built on the shores of the Danube river. We have experts, and real good defense, and we have about one more day before the worst hours of this flood. This is the worst flood we ever had on river Danube, but we had some floods on other rivers before. So we have experience, our lines of defense are fine, and most of us, have a safe place to live. About 2000 people evacuated, because their houses are in the "floodplain" area. In fact you can allowed to build vacation houses only in these areas, but some people used them as permanent home anyway. They cannot have an insurance for these houses, and they are in deep trouble. Other than that, some public transportation lines have problems, we had small problems with telecommunications. And there is one small protected area is flooded. But the situation isn't severe even in that area. In fact, that area is in the floodplain too, but was protected by a temporary line of defense, and the main lines of defense are still OK even in that part of city. But the worst hours are yet to come, and we can only hope, that we will be manage to avoid severe problems. Gergely Varju, Hungary

Contrary to many of the reports, there are some bridges open in Prague, there are few to none panicking,electricity is not out everywhere in the center, kids on a trip are hard to reach because they are not sitting next to a phone, (they are most likely out and about), the Czech Govt seem to be handling this pretty well, Havel did fly back home. Floods just happen from time to time. Be happy for the relatively low loss of life. "Things" dry out. Chris, Czech Republic

Having family in Praha, I am glad to hear that for the most part, the damage appears to be confined to small areas of the country. Does anybody know how bad the flooding in the city of Plzen and some of the smaller villages outside of Plzen? it would be comforting to know how people are making out there. I am interested in hearing about villages outside of Klatovy area since my Dad is in a village near Klatovy and has no phone where he lives nor email. Liz, USA

It stopped raining and the flood levels are slowly but surely sinking. The rescue systems are working well, the people show great solidarity and, so characteristic for the Czech people, numerous jokes in best black humour started to circulate. The diminishing waters will reveal a disaster in material damage and damage impossible to estimate to the wonderful ancient buildings that make my city so marvellous. But fortunately there is no big humanitarian catastrophe -- they even have caught three of the four missing seals that escaped the zoo. A Prague local

I work for a large financial company in the US. We have a volunteer program. If someone lets me know what is needed and how I can get in touch with someone in an aid organization or government position in any affected area or town, I will organize an effort here. Contact me at gerald@jarvis.net Gerald Jarvis, USA

During the day I keep hearing the wailing of the sirens. As I walk down my street into my neighborhood I see the sandbags, police and army. The rest is a ghost town. I keep explaining to my friends "no I have not been evacuated, it's starts at the bottom of my street." At night my neighborhood is plunged into darkness. Friends keep trying to get into their apartments to get money, passports, clothes, anything. The water stops 5 cm from another friend's home as the water rushes over the sandbags. The two sides of the city are almost divided as the water floods the subways. Colin Webster, Czech Republic

Thanks for all your prayers and help in the last days. Thanks to the firemen, to the Austrian Army, the Red Cross and to the many other helpers. These are our darkest hours but together we are strong. P. Schadl, Vienna

Yesterday I returned from the evacuated summer camp in South Bohemia .The water was everywhere and I was glad when I was going back home. But as we were getting nearer and nearer to Prague the atmosphere was tense. People were running all around the wild river. It was relief to get back home to my scared parents. Tomas Klicka, 14 yrs, Czech Republic

Any word about Dessau? We have an exchange student who is coming to live with us. Last note we got from her said that her family was evacuating and that it was a catastrophe. Frank Hunnicutt, USA

I'm writing in behalf of my friend, who lives in a small town near Dresden, that got hit by the water really bad. "...It's the worst nightmare you can ever imagine!"-she said this morning (via mobile phone). "...everything, houses and even the graveyard have been swept away by the water. Rescue workers are desperate to get the people out of the houses, they work night and day -BIG THANK YOU to them!!! Rescue workers from all over Germany are on its way-but it's hard to get into the flooded cities- and still the worst is yet to come from the flood that hit Prague. Please pray for all the people out there in the flood! Peggy Steiniger, Germany

There are floodings in Pilsen city (West Bohemia). Our city is situated on the confluence of four rivers. Our transport is paralysed. Water is especially in the centre of the city. Good news - water in the rivers is going down. August 14, 2002, 15.10 local time. Eva Honzikova, Czech Republic

Seven of ten districts in Prague have NOT been evacuated. The city has a million people. Only a few thousand have been evacuated and most went to stay with friends or relatives in the city. Nothing is reminiscent of World War II. There are no lines for food or water. There is no panic. People are very orderly, many businesses are closed and most of the historic district is closed. Parts of the city have no power, but most public transportation is running. Everybody is perfectly safe. Several riverfront restaurants and hotels are affected, but these were closed long before the water hit. Only a few blocks are under water, the rest of the city is on hills. The worst tragedy is that the zoo was not emptied of animals in time and some large animals were destroyed. A Prague citizen, Czech Republic

It's a terrible situation all around Europe. Hope it will be better soon, but Dresden is expecting another flood from Czech Republic. In Leipzig we hope that the flood won't come. 25 km away in Grimma already the whole city is under water. I feel with all the people hit by this flood and hope that they´ll receive help very soon. Sandy, Germany

I hope for the best for the elderly people,as they seem to be on the way to be forgotten. Jan de Coster, Belgium

As the daughter of Czech-born parents, seeing CNN photos of the terrible floods in the Czech Republic sinks my heart faster than the Vlatava River rises. It's oddly comforting, however, to finally have world's eye focused on this small, often forgotten country that is rich with culture and talent. The Czechs survived countless unspeakable horrors throughout history. The Czechs are survivors. To my Czech Family (Leandra Janderova) in Prague and Pilsen, do not despair when you see your flooded homes and ask "Kde Domov Muj"? It is still there; you will again heal. Please know that the Czech-American community is with you in our hearts. Nancy Brodsky Hix, USA

People are helping people and they will get thru this terrible ordeal. One of the biggest heartbreaks is what has happened to the animals at the zoo that are helpless. They moved some to high ground but the ones they could not move were put down by veterinarians. My heart breaks for these poor animals that did not have a choice and wonder why, in a city that has flooded before, the zoo was on low ground. I indeed feel the pain of the people that have lost property but I also feel pain for the animals. Barbara Kelly, USA

Just the roof can be seen from our manufacturing plant. I could swim in my office among the pieces of furniture and paper files. The family business which we built for ten years is gone within two days! Pavel Tichy, Czech Republic

It's a big luck that there are not more losses of life. In some German cities the water stands 10 meters high.

I wonder how many art treasures were destroyed. Most Museums have their archives down in the caves. Steffen, Germany

Numerous villages and towns in Lower Austria are hit by the flood. It is terrible to see how many people in your own country, and all over the rest of Europe, lose everything except their lives. Their houses are completely damaged and they have lost everything they have lived for. At the same time it is amazing to see how everyone in Austria tries to help these people, they donate money as well as giving them a place to sleep or food. Even big companies donate goods to help these people getting on. I am really proud to see how thousands of rescue workers risk their lives to save other people. Julia, Salzburg, Austria

My fiancee is currently visiting her mother near Prague. We are in touch by mobile, but she can't get out and I can't get there. It is a very worrying time. I was supposed to be driving down tomorrow morning to meet her and go on holiday for a few days, but now I don't know whether she will even be safe in the morning! No offence intended to CNN and the other news services, I know you can't cover every village and road that is flooded, but it is frustrating when I see the main cities that are flooded, it is worrying what is happening in the little villages and towns like Beroun. David, UK.

Hey David, Beround is all under water but stay cool, everybody is safe and evacuated, she will be fine. Pete, Prague local.

All of you, who have relatives and friends currently here in the Czech rep., please do not be afraid, everyone is SAFE. Most places even in Prague are totally unaffected, so there is really no danger to people here. Most of the public transportation is working and the airport is far off from the river and not affected by the flood at all, so no fears about being able to fly away. These are not easy times, but not as bad as described in media. Jaroslav Losos, Prague

I was reading the comments and the news reports while at my desk in work in London, and am upset and very sad at the loss of life and flood havoc. I wanted to pass on my thoughts to those affected in Germany, Austria, Russia and the latest situation facing the people of Prague. Take care of yourselves. RC, UK.

I was in the town center helping to build walls with bags filled with sand against water. Working 10 hours...thanks to police, firemen and army, everything goes well, there is perfect organization. But the problem is that normal volume of water in the Prague is 150 cubic meter per second and now it is about 5000 and it goes higher, nothing can stop that!!! But there are many other cities with much worse situation...it is really bad for Czech republic, thank God, there is minimal life casualties. Michal, Prague.

I would like to thank all the people who are thinking about our country now. Especially great thanks to people of Poland and Slovakia. I was very affected to have heard that the governments of Poland and Slovakia decided to send some humanitarian aid and money to the Czech Republic though their economic situation isn't the best. Thank you, good people!!! Katka, Moravia.

I remember those terrible days in 1997 when flood began here in my home city , Wroclaw, Poland. That was a nightmare, but also remember the great moments of people's solidarity, determination and courage. I know that citizens of Prague are strong enough to fight the "great water." We are with you brothers! Tomek110, Poland.

Our history will always be there, buildings will be renovated - Most important is we have health, love & each other - rest we can re-gain & rebuilt together! My heart is with you all and I am wishing strongly for a sun to come up and dry all this water away...Zuzka, New York

THANK GOD! IT'S NOT RAINING ANYMORE! Lukáš Kupec, Czech Republic

Help!! Everyone here in Prague seems to have forgotten the animals. It has just(20h30) been reported that the Elephant and other animals in Prague zoo(Troja) are all underwater and are about to be shot because of human neglect and incompetence. The situation in Prague has been anticipated for over 24 hours and only now are they asking for help to pump the water from the animals enclosures. Sasha, Czech Republic

Just the roof can be seen from our manufacturing plant. I could swim in my office among the pieces of furniture and paper files. The family business which we built for ten years is gone within two days! Pavel Tichy, Czech Republic

Most of the people are calm, respecting the orders of policemen and firemen. There's no panic in the city. I would like to thank all of them, they're doing great job! Please stay with us. Pavel, Czech Republic

I am from Volyne. Our little square was under water yesterday. No one has ever seen anything like it before. Susie, Czech Republic

Numerous villages and towns in Lower Austria are hit by the flood. It is terrible to see how many people in your own country, and all over the rest of Europe, lose everything except their lives. Their houses are completely damaged and they have lost everything they have lived for. At the same time it is amazing to see how everyone in Austria tries to help these people, they donate money as well as giving them a place to sleep or food. Even big companies donate goods to help these people getting on. I am really proud to see how thousands of rescue workers risk their lives to save other people. Julia, Salzburg, Austria

Our daughter Brooke Salisbury is in Prague. She just finished training to enable her to teach English as a foreign language. I talked to her Friday but haven't heard from her since we received an e-mail Friday evening. If you are in Prague and know Brooke, please tell her to get in touch with her parents. May God be with those who are experiencing such a disaster. Frank Salisbury, USA

I am from Austria, and most parts of my province – Upper Austria – are completely flooded, as well as Lower Austria, Salzburg and other parts of my country. The situation is devastating. The infrastructure is completely destroyed in most parts of the country. The crops are lost, agriculture destroyed. Thousands of people are homeless, lost everything they had. The outcome for the future for the region is yet not comprehendible for the people. Verena Mueller, Austria

My family lives along the Donau in Germany. The town is Gunzburg. Also my dad is in Augsbug. Are these towns safe. Is there anyone out there who can fill me in. This is just the worse thing that could happen. My prayers are with all of those that are affected. Liesel Woodard, USA

Hey David, Beround is all under water but stay cool, everybody is safe and evacuated, she will be fine. Pete, Prague local.

My son is in downtown Prague and I can not contact him by phone. This is all very scary! Janet Fandel, USA.

I just returned from studying in Prague one month ago. I can't believe all of the destruction in the pictures. I am continually watching news reports. My heart and prayers are with everyone suffering from this mess. I think of Prague as my city as well, god bless. Jennifer, USA

The situation in the centre of Prague is by far not so bad as described in the internet or newspaper. Me and my boyfriend -- so as many others -- crossed the Cech bridge near the famous hotel Intercontinental half an hour ago. It is open to pedestrians and cars, the metro is still working and I couldn't see any panic among people. There are some overflooded areas, such as the Lower City (Mala Strana), Smichov and Karlin but the evacuation and organisation was done in a very civilised and controlled way. Jana Alfery and Pavel Hrdina, Czech Republic

This morning, I walked from my home (where there's no electricity) to the University of South Bohemia a few kilometers away from the Vltva(where there is electricity). Many of the buildings in my area have sandbags around them, but that doesn't seem to help much. From a bridge near my home, I could see the Vltva River that covered the river banks and a foot/bike bridge a few buildings and a filling station. I've been in touch by phone with friends in the center who live in the upper floors of some of these buildings. They've told me that there is over 1 meter of water in their homes. Vivian Baravalle, Czech Republic

My heart goes also to other people around Europe who are dealing with the floods. Don't give up. Veronika Samlova, Ireland.

Can anyone please e-mail me and let me know if Sylvia at Nad Koulkou 11, 15000, Praha is safe. I can't get any information. Can't do much from here but we pray for the safety of all. Colleen Grehan, UK.

I was reading the comments and the news reports while at my desk in work in London, and am upset and very sad at the loss of life and flood havoc. I wanted to pass on my thoughts to those affected in Germany, Austria, Russia and the latest situation facing the people of Prague. Take care of yourselves. RC, UK.

I have been reading the accounts of the terrible flooding in Prague and the southern Czech Republic. I have a teenage son on a foreign exchange program in the north of the Republic. He is to fly out of Prague tomorrow to return home. His host family is unsure about the roads to get to the airport. Do you have any information regarding traveling to the airport? It is my understanding that the airport is still open; but I would like to relieve his concerns about getting home. Thank you. Sharon, U.S.

I have a friend who lives in Wein, Austria. I hope that She is OK...I just want to say to the people in Europe to not lose heart, keep on being courageous. Many like me all over the world are also praying for your safety and well being. Russell, U.S.

Dresden is completely under water as well. We´ve got two rivers here and both of them are making their way right through the beautiful and historic city. What I can´t understand is, that in a situation when the world is facing catastrophes like that (floods, fires, storms etc.) more frequently the U.S., as the major industrial nation causing the most of the pollution worldwide, is still not willing to sign and enforce the Kyoto-contracts. Instead of caring for the real issues of mankind they are rather playing their war-games! Shame! Kay Woldrich, Germany.

I was in the town center helping to build walls with bags filled with sand against water. Working 10 hours...thanks to police, firemen and army, everything goes well, there is perfect organization. But the problem is that normal volume of water in the Prague is 150 cubic meter per second and now it is about 5000 and it goes higher, nothing can stop that!!! But there are many other cities with much worse situation...it is really bad for Czech republic, thank God, there is minimal life casualties. Michal, Prague.

My thoughts and prayers are with the poor people who have disrupted lives, or missing relatives or friends. I will do all I can to encourage my representatives in Washington to push through emergency aid for those most affected. I wish I could drop work and head over to help pile up sand bags, be strong! Robb, U.S.

I live in Ceske Budejovice (South Bohemia)in an area right next to the Vltva River. This morning, I walked from my home (where there's no electricity) to the University of South Bohemia a few kilometers away from the Vltva(where there is electricity). Many of the buildings in my area have sandbags around them, but that doesn't seem to help much. From a bridge near my home, I could see the Vltva River that covered the river banks and a foot/bike bridge a few buildings and a filling station. The water also flooded the main artery between Ceske Vrbne and the area of Vystaviste (fairgrounds). Police and the Army are patroling the bridges in and out of the center of the city, which are closed to normal traffic. I've been in touch by phone with friends in the center who live in the upper floors of some of these buildings. They've told me that there is over 1 meter of water in their homes. It hasn't rained for a few hours. Hopefully, this will give time for the water to eventually subside. Vivian Baravalle, Czech Republic.

I am sat in my office in Prague about 1 mile away from the center. The city in is panicking and people are buying food like crazy. No one knows what to expect. The city center has been evacuated, and river Vltava is beginning to flood the streets. Scenes with people carrying suitcases as they are fleeing the center evoke scenes from the WWII. All the bridges across Vltava are closed and the traffic is paralysed. We are watching the news on TV and listening to radio and wondering how are we going to get home from work, especially those who live on the other side of the river. Electricity shall be turned off in some parts of the city and subway should stop operating on the afternoon. The water should be highest since 150 years. It should stay for four days. Keep your fingers crossed for us. Monika Vegh, Prague.

I am on holiday here from the UK, and it is turning into a nightmare. The warning sirens have been sounding and I can't get back to my hotel. We can only watch and hope things improve. Tony Eames, Prague.

I am in the center of Prague. It is terrible here. Jiri Taborsky, Prague.

I would like to thank all the people who are thinking about our country now. Especially great thanks to people of Poland and Slovakia. I was very affected to have heard that the governments of Poland and Slovakia decided to send some humanitarian aid and money to the Czech Republic though their economic situation isn't the best. Thank you, good people!!! Katka, Moravia.

I went to my office in morning, and I saw the terrible things which are there. It is a terrible picture. People were on bridges and looked at wild river. Petr Pilsen, Prague.

The worst situation is in cities and villages at south of Czechia, including well known Cesky Krumlov, the ancient center of this city is damaged by the water seriously. Here in Prague, the river is starting to flood some streets and 2 underground stations too. The power is down in the most of the center. It is big problem to travel from one part of the city to another. Some of Internet providers are down too. Another flood wave is expected to arrive during the evening, it will be highest one during the last 160 years at least. So people from the lower parts of the city are ready to leave their homes. Also, there is strong wind since the last night too. And it started to rain again :-( Omikron, Prague.

Some parts of Prague are under the water (Smichov, Karlik, Lahovice, Zbraslav, Radotin, Liben, Mala Strana, Old City, Charles Bridge, and all bridges across Vltava are closed.) Governments expect peak at about 6 p.m. CET(!). Highways are closed from 30 kilometers from Prague. Subways stations in center are also closed. Center is without electricity. HELP US ! :( Wizard_01, Czech Republic.

At the moment I'm at the central station of Prague. Yesterday I arrived here because I'm going back by train to Holland this evening. Yesterday evening there were a lot of people busy with sandbags and they said to me that the flooding was getting worse and worse and the houses of the old city were in danger. I slept in a hotel near to the river, The Moldau, and this morning the girl from the hotel said to me that the water was going to reach the hotel this day. I went out to the Karls Brigde and it was closed. Whole day the sirens were going and the policemen evacuated all the people in the surrounding of the river. It's a very scary situation cause of the sirens, the policemen and the sandbags. The old city looks like a ghost city at the moment. I hope the trains are still going to the Netherlands this evening. It's raining here whole the time. I wish the Czech people all the luck and God be with you. Arnoud Blijdorp, Prague.

What about Germany and Austria? We have the worst floods and almost no word about it! The poor people in Passau or Salzburg are trapped in their own houses and can't escape the floods! Millions of Euros will be spend to repair the damages! Several people are already evacuated from their homes and don't know where to go. And it is still raining ... Simone, Germany.

Situation is worse than bad ... but we will never give up our Prague. Matej42.