Chronicle

The most important natural disasters that have occurred in Switzerland are listed in chronological order on this page.


Events 2011 - today

  • Rockfall in Gurtnellen (5 June and 14 November 2012)
  • Rockfall in Preonzo (14/15 May 2012)
  • Flood event Zulg / Emme (4 July 2012)
  • Flood event in the Bernese Oberland, in central Switzerland and Valais (10/11 October 2011)
  • Forest fire Visp (26 April 2011)

 

More information about events in the period of 2011 - today...

Events 2000 - 2010

 

  • Hail from the canton of Vaud to Lake Constance (23 July 2009)
  • Glacial Lake Outburst on Lower Grindelwald Glacier (30 May 2008)
  • Flooding in Switzerland (08/09 August 2007) 
  • Mudslide near Biasca TI (3 October 2006) 
  • Eiger Rockfall (13 July 2006)
  • Mudslide in Val Roseg, GR (11 July 2006)
  • Rockfall in Gurtnellen, Uri (31 May 2006)
  • Floods in Switzerland (21/22 August 2005)
  • Leuk forest fire, Valais (1 August 2003) 
  • Heat Wave Summer 2003 (May-October 2003) 
  • Landslide in Lutzenberg, Appenzell Outer Rhodes (31 August / 01 September 2002) 
  • Storm in Valais (14 October 2000)

 

More information about events in the period of 2000 - 2010...

Events in 1900 - 1999

 

  • All over Switzerland, storm "Lothar" (26 December 1999)
  • Flooding throughout Switzerland (12 May 1999) 
  • Avalanche Winter (February 1999)
  • Landslide in Falli-Hölli, Fribourg (August 1994)
  • Flood in Brig, Valais (24 September 1993)
  • Debris avalanche in Randa, Valais (18 April 1991 / 9th May 1991)
  • Storm disaster in the Alps (24 – 25 August 1987) 
  • Debris avalanche near Isérables-Riddes, Valais (At the end of August 1985)
  • Debris flow near Domat-Ems, Grisons (24 July 1981)
  • Avalanche Winter (19-22 January 1951)
  • Earthquake in Sierre, Valais (25 January 1946)
  • Backwater of the river Linth (24 August 1944)

 

More informations about events in the period 1900 - 1999...

Historical events

 

  • Disastrous debris flows in Airolo, Ticino (28 December 1898)
  • Avalanches in the Alps (February/March 1888)
  • Sub-aquatic slide in Zug (5 July 1887)
  • Debris avalanche near Elm, Glarus (11 September 1881)
  • Large-scale landslide in Campo-Valle Maggia/Ticino (1857)
  • Avalanches in the Alps (11 - 13 December 1808)
  • Debris avalanche of Goldau, Schwyz (2 September 1806)
  • Flood disaster in Kuesnacht near Zurich (July 1778)
  • Rock fall in Praettigau, Grisons (June 1770)
  • Earthquake in Brig, Valais (9 December 1755; approx. 1.30 pm)
  • Flooding in the region of Basel and Aargau (6 – 7 August 1748)
  • Storm in Schaffhausen (28 December 1720) 
  • Avalanche in Obergesteln, Valais (February 1720)
  • Destruction of Alt-Giswil, Obwalden (July 1629)
  • Earthquake in central Switzerland (18 September 1601)
  • Flash-flood in the valley of Bagnes, Valais (25 May 1595)
  • Biasca flood wave (29 - 30 July 1515)
  • Earthquake in Basel (18 October 1356; approx. 10 pm)
  • Debris avalanche in Flims, Grisons (Approximately 10'000 years ago)

 

More informations about the historical events...