Flooding sparked by Storm Boris in central Europe has burst dams, knocked out power and killed at least 18 people, authorities said on Monday, as more people were evacuated.

Soldiers and residents in southwestern Poland are laying sandbags near swollen rivers around the city of Wroclaw to protect homes and businesses after days of flooding across Central Europe.

Severe flooding in Central Europe, caused by a low-pressure system, has devastated Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Romania. Authorities report 23 deaths, with thousands of soldiers and volunteers working to safeguard homes and businesses.

On Wednesday, soldiers and volunteers in southwestern Poland were laying sandbags near swollen rivers in the Wroclaw region

STORY: Bursting their banks and inundating towns - more rivers across central Europe have been unable to deal with a deadly deluge of heavy rain from the worst flooding in at least two decades.And on Monday Poland's government declared a disaster in affected areas and said that it had set aside $260 million to help victims.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has pledged billions of euros in aid for Central European countries that suffered enormous damage to infrastructure and housing during the massive flooding th

A massive flood wave moving across Central Europe threatened new areas after claiming 24 lives, raising concerns among residents and officials and prompting European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen to plan a visit to the region Thursday.

The storm has hit the north-east and central regions of Italy, days after causing widespread flooding in central Europe.