Danube peaks; estimates put Central Europe flooding costs in billions BUDAPEST, Hungary, June 10 (UPI) -- Floodwaters had killed at least 23 people and caused billions of dollars in damage in Central Europe, officials said Monday. Heavy rains across the region during the past week, combined with a wet spring, caused record-breaking flooding and swelling of rivers. The Danube River crested far above normal in Budapest, The Budapest Times reported. "A lengthy stretch of the river must be defended to the south [of the city] so the key question now is the sensible deployment of resources," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said. About 1,200 people across Hungary were evacuated from their homes Sunday, The New York Times reported. The German Elbe River cities of Passau and Deggendorf began cleanup efforts Monday as waters began to recede, TheLocal.de reported. Three thousand people in Deggendorf had been displaced. Initial estimates say flood damage could cost at least $660 million n Deggendorf and $132 million in Passau, TheLocal.de said. Preliminary estimates for the total damage across Central Europe -- including Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Hungary -- could be in the billion of dollars, The New York Times said.