The Czech Republic and Poland reported the first instances of flooding on Saturday as historic rainfall hit central Europe, with authorities warning that the worst was still to come. Emergency forces in both countries, along with parts of Austria, have been preparing for severe weather since Friday. Heavy rains in the Czech Republic have already caused the water level of the Elbe river to rise, with the Czech weather service (CHMU) reporting up to 170 millimetres of precipitation – equivalent to 170 litres per square metre – in the worst affected regions in the previous 24 hours. Authorities h…