Hochwasserschutz - geeignete Vorsorgemaßnahmen und Verhaltensregeln

Floods are a danger to people and the environment.

The flood hazard and risk maps are reviewed and published every 6 years. On the website https://geoportal.bafg.de/karten/HWRM/, you can use an address search to find out the specific risk of flooding for the property you are looking for. Three statistical scenarios are shown for both the hazard maps and the risk maps. The hazard maps show the extent and water depths of flooding with a frequent (every 20 years), medium (every 100 years) and low probability of recurrence (every 200 years with failure of the protection systems). Failure of the protective structures with a low probability of recurrence is assumed, as they are generally designed for events that occur every 100 years. For the same scenarios, the flood risk maps show the uses at risk in the depicted area, such as inhabitants, residential areas and other uses. Every citizen and every company can use these maps to find out what flood risk they are exposed to.

The presentation of the scenarios already shows that there can be no absolute protection against flooding. The facilities are designed, built and maintained to protect against floods with a certain probability of recurrence (usually the 100-year event). Extreme events, i.e. events with higher water levels than the water levels determined for the design, cannot be ruled out. These events can then lead to the failure of the protection systems. This means that there is no absolute protection even behind protective structures. In the event of the failure of flood protection systems and the resulting flooding, precautions should also be taken behind protection systems through flood-adapted construction. It is also possible to insure against flood damage. This is also part of personal precautions, as required by Section 5 of the Federal Water Act for all persons who may be threatened by flooding.

You can find out about the specific water levels in the watercourses and water levels via the free "Meine Pegel" app. It is also possible to have messages sent automatically via this app when water levels exceed or fall below pre-set levels.

Heavy rain hazard maps will be published before the end of this year. These maps will also show possible flooding (extent, water depth and flow directions) for a heavy rainfall event. As heavy rain can occur anywhere, it will be a comprehensive map. The extent, water depth and flow directions will only differ due to the different terrain surfaces present. These maps can then be used as a source of information on how affected you are and the precautionary measures you can take, such as locking basement windows and underground garages or installing raised kerbs on roads and sidewalks. Local authorities can also use these maps to plan local rainwater drainage measures or to integrate them into existing networks using suitable storage basins. Measures for unsealing and improving insurance options can also help to reduce damage.

• Flood hazard and risk maps freely accessible on the Internet
• Water levels can be called up via the "My Gauge" app
• You can insure yourself against flood damage
• Technical facilities are built to a certain water level
• There can be no absolute protection through facilities
• Heavy rain hazard maps are in progress

• State offices for agriculture and the environment
• Water maintenance associations

Flood protection measures are implemented by the State Offices for Agriculture and the Environment on water bodies of the first order (see Annex 1 to the State Water Act).
Measures on second-order watercourses are implemented by the watercourse maintenance associations.