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.

Central European countries have suffered enormous damage to infrastructure and housing during the current flooding that has claimed 24 lives in the region. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pledged billions of euros for flood recovery.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Massive floods pounded Central Europe on Monday, killing four more people in Poland and one in the Czech Republic.