BELGRADE, Serbia, May 16 (UPI) -- Serbia has declared a state of emergency as it faces record-level rainfall that has flooded the country and surrounding Balkan nations.

Belgrade has been drenched in 28 gallons of water per square yard alone. At least three people have drowned, several are missing, and thousands are waiting to be evacuated from their homes.


The army has been dispatched in Serbia to assist with these evacuations from the 100,000 homes without power and the 400 closed schools.

Many are being evacuated from flood areas with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. "This is the greatest catastrophe in Serbia's living memory," said Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. "Nobody can defeat water, nor fire, so saving lives is most important."

The adjacent country of Bosnia and Herzegovina has also declared a state of emergency after tens of thousands lost power. In parts of Sarajevo, bridges and banks are at risk of being destroyed, as the Miljacka River swells with the rainwater.

Croatia has seen high winds and uprooted trees blocking city streets and has declared a state of emergency for the Vukovar region.

The rain is supposed to end in all regions by Sunday.