DRESDEN, Germany, Aug 16 (AFP) - The river Elbe early Friday broke a historic flood record, surging through the 8.77 metre (29 foot) mark set in Dresden in 1845, the regional office for the environment and geology announced.

By 5 am (0300 GMT) the waters were over the 8.85 metre mark and rising by nearly four centimetres (1.5 inches) every hour, the office said. Normally, in summer the river's average level is two metres.

Shortly after midnight the waters invaded Dresden's famed Theaterplatz where the Semper Opera and Gemaeldegalerie are located, along with the baroque castle.

Some 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate the southeastern German towns of Pirna and Heidenau Thursday evening as floodwaters from the Elbe swamped the region, authorities said.

German soldiers and members of the US armed forces stationed in the country assisted with the rescue operation, bringing inhabitants to safety in makeshift camping grounds.

Pirna is located 17 kilometers (11 miles) south of Dresden near the Czech border, with Heidenau a few kilometers to the north. - Nampa-AFP