Flooding in Europe in August 2002 on the Elbe and Danube River basins exceeded any peak flow since the13th Century (Becker and Brunewald, 2003) and caused $12 billion in damage. Precipitation rates in some regions approached the "possible maximum precipitation" of 350 mm (14 inches) in 24 hours and 500 mm (20 inches) in 72 hours. Six stations recorded more than 200 mm (8 inches) in 24 hours.
Reference
Becker, A. ,and U. Grunewald, 2003: Flood risk in central Europe. Science 300, 1099.