Flood risk in Saarland: Experts warn of flooding!

Flood risk in Saarland: Experts warn of flooding!

in Saarland there is currently a slight risk of flood. The floors are saturated so that they can no longer absorb additional water. According to information from Michael Penth, the Head of Water from the State Office for Environmental and Occupational Safety and Occupational Safety (LUA), there is a risk of partial seepage and flooding. In the next few days, further showers and sometimes snow can be expected, which could also tighten the Situation. The German Weather Service warns of continuous rain with precipitation quantities of up to 40 liters per square meter until this afternoon.

The water levels are expected to increase, which may lead to exits and floods of fields. In this context, local traffic disruptions as well as complete cellar and garages are to be expected. The flood registration center assumes that the registration height 1 will be reached on all levels. Especially on the Schwarzbach and at the upper reach of the Blies, even the registration height 2 could be exceeded. This represents a serious threat to residents who are called up for self -provision.

self -protection and preparations

The authorities recommend providing those affected, sandbags and wooden planks for their own provision. For buildings in deeper locations, diving pumps can be helpful, which are already available from 150 euros. From the coming weekend, the weather is to be improved, which should enable the water to remove the water. This topic was already taken up in the “current report” on SR television on January 6th, 2025.

Flood risk management plays a central role in avoiding damage from floods. Full protection against floods is not possible from a technical and economic point of view, which is why there is a residual risk. Comprehensive management includes various preventive measures, such as the area of ​​space and the designation of flood areas. These aspects are particularly relevant because the flood events showed in July 2021 that there is an urgent need for improvement in the existing pension concepts.

important legal framework conditions

The EU flood risk management guideline has regulated a uniform application of flood risk management since 2007. The Water Household Act (WHG) converts these EU requirements into national law and enables federal states to create their own regulations. The essential components of flood risk management include the evaluation of the flood risk, the creation of flood danger and risk cards as well as setting up risk management plans.

These risk management plans determine measures to reduce the adverse consequences of floods. There are clearly defined risk areas that have significant negative effects through flood events. Flood areas, on the other hand, are special areas that can be flooded with floods and apply to the special structural regulations. As part of the flood risk management, the need for cooperation between various actors such as water management, weather services and disaster protection is also emphasized.

For more information about flood prevention and management, visit the website of the BMU .