Bulgaria has launched a formal procedure to request financial support from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) following extensive flooding in the country’s southeastern regions, including Burgas, Tsarevo, and Elenite. The floods have caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, homes, and local businesses, prompting a coordinated national response.
Deputy Minister Yura Vitanova officially initiated the EUSF procedure, submitting the necessary documentation to Brussels. The move comes after days of torrential rainfall that triggered flash floods, road blockages, and power outages across multiple municipalities.
Under the government’s plan, the Ministry of Interior will compile and summarize preliminary damage assessments and calculate eligible recovery costs, while the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works will prepare Bulgaria’s formal aid application to the European Commission.
Government Coordination and Immediate Response
Interior Minister Daniel Mitov and Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov held a working meeting to coordinate the first steps toward recovery and restoration.
The meeting focused on assessing flood impacts, restoring critical infrastructure, and ensuring temporary traffic arrangements through cooperation between the Traffic Police and the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA).
Officials discussed immediate actions to facilitate movement in flood-affected areas where road repair works are underway. “The focus is on ensuring mobility and access to isolated regions,” Minister Mitov emphasized, noting that restoring connectivity is vital for both emergency response and reconstruction.
Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, Director of the Fire Safety and Population Protection Directorate, reported that emergency services remain on high alert despite improving conditions. “We currently have 30 incidents our teams are responding to, eight of which involve clearing fallen trees and draining flooded areas,” he said.
He added that all equipment is fully operational, with reinforced duty teams ready to act if weather conditions worsen. “Our firefighters continue debris removal operations in Elenite and are prepared for immediate deployment if new rainfall occurs overnight,” Dzhartov confirmed.
Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
The floods have left 51 settlements without electricity, disrupting local services and affecting thousands of residents. Restoration efforts are underway, with emergency crews working around the clock to repair downed lines and clear debris.
In the municipality of Tran, where conditions had been severe earlier in the week, the situation is stabilizing. “All fallen trees blocking roads have been cleared, access to settlements restored, and the city’s water supply reestablished,” Dzhartov said.
Authorities confirmed that no new evacuations are planned at this stage but stressed readiness for rapid action should the situation deteriorate.
Restricted Access to Elenite and Evacuations
Access to the Elenite holiday resort, one of the hardest-hit areas, remains completely restricted until at least Wednesday, according to Chief Commissioner Zahari Vaskov, Director of the National Police Directorate. “The entire area is secured by gendarmerie and police teams,” Vaskov stated, noting that the restriction will be reviewed mid-week by the national Crisis Headquarters.
Approximately 200 people have been evacuated from the resort. Around half have relocated to relatives or friends, while others are being housed in hotels in St. Vlas and Nessebar.
Vaskov urged residents to strictly follow the instructions of the Ministry of Interior and emergency services. “These restrictions and evacuations are essential for public safety,” he said. “Our priority remains the protection of life and health.”
Tsarevo Under Continued Alert
In Tsarevo, one of the municipalities hardest hit by the floods, the local government remains on alert amid forecasts for more heavy rainfall. Mayor Marin Kirov said that although some newly rebuilt infrastructure survived the deluge, peripheral damage remains significant.
“The new bridge to the Vasiliko district, which was reconstructed after last year’s disaster, has withstood the latest flooding,” Kirov reported. “However, surrounding infrastructure and access roads have sustained fresh damage.”
The Cherna River basin, which overflowed during the recent downpour, remains the most critical concern. “Many businesses along the river suffered serious losses,” Kirov said. “We are preparing an urgent project for a full correction of the riverbed. Our teams are clearing all riverbeds and ravines to allow fast water discharge into the sea.”
He noted that previous applications for funding riverbed cleaning in Ahtopol and Tsarevo were not approved by the state, limiting the municipality’s preventive capacity. “We are cleaning what we can, but serious corrective work requires significant funding,” Kirov emphasized.
EU Solidarity Fund: A Lifeline for Recovery
The European Union Solidarity Fund serves as the bloc’s principal mechanism for aiding member states in recovering from major natural disasters. It provides financial assistance to repair essential infrastructure, restore public facilities, and support affected populations.
Bulgaria has utilized the fund in the past to rebuild regions struck by severe flooding, most notably in 2014 and 2023, when the country faced similar challenges. This latest request underscores the growing frequency of extreme weather events in southeastern Europe, raising concerns over climate adaptation and disaster resilience.
According to early estimates, damage to roads, bridges, and public infrastructure in Burgas and Tsarevo could amount to tens of millions of euros. The Bulgarian government hopes that EU support will help bridge the financial gap for large-scale repairs and long-term flood prevention.
Ongoing Recovery and Future Preparedness
Authorities continue to coordinate between ministries, municipalities, and emergency services to manage the aftermath of the disaster. “We are focusing on restoring safety, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and ensuring that affected citizens receive timely assistance,” Minister Ivanov said.
Local communities have joined efforts to clear debris and assist in recovery. Volunteers in Tsarevo have been helping remove mud and damaged property, particularly in lower parts of the town near the bus station, which were heavily inundated.
As forecasts warn of further rainfall, regional crisis centers remain active across Burgas Province. Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced residents, while health and social services continue to monitor vulnerable groups.
“The lessons from last year’s floods taught us the importance of preparedness and coordination,” Kirov remarked. “We must invest in sustainable flood prevention, including proper riverbed maintenance and drainage systems.”
A Call for European Solidarity
The Bulgarian government’s appeal to the EU Solidarity Fund reflects both the scale of the recent disaster and the importance of European cooperation in disaster management. The application, once reviewed and approved by the European Commission, could unlock vital resources for restoring stability in the flood-stricken southeast.
As Bulgaria braces for more storms, officials and citizens alike are looking to Brussels for swift assistance. For now, emergency teams remain on high alert, and the nation continues to rally behind its affected communities — determined to rebuild stronger and safer than before.