Heavy Rain & Flooding

On this page, you will find specific guidance and advice on how to behave during heavy rain and flooding events.

Before the event

  • Keep an eye on the weather forecast and warnings
  • Close the windows and doors
  • Secure buildings with sandbags or other means, such as flood barriers for windows and doors
  • If you are outdoors, seek shelter in a building wherever possible; this also applies if you are staying in tents or caravans
  • Prepare for possible power cuts or telephone outages:
    • Keep a supply of candles, matches, a torch and spare batteries to hand
    • Charging a mobile phone battery
  • Move your vehicle from lower-lying areas or underground car parks if it is still safe to do so


During the event

  • Do not go into the flooded cellar
  • Stay at home for as long as possible
  • Move any important items to the top floor
  • Think of the animals
  • Neighbours helping out
  • Listen out for announcements from the fire brigade or the police
  • Stay informed via the radio and the NINA Warn app or the HessenWarn app
  • In an emergency, dial 112
  • If you are unable to make an emergency call, go to the fire station or to one of the emergency points


After the event

  • Boil drinking water if the authorities instruct you to do so
  • Please note – there may be
    • Causing scouring and subsidence of roads and paths
    • Expose the gully inlets
  • Only make essential journeys/trips

In the event of a flooded building

  • Please wear rubber wellington boots when entering the premises to avoid injury and, where necessary, to prevent the spread of germs
  • Dispose of contaminated food, furniture or other items
  • Documentation of the flooding and the resulting damage for the insurance company (photographic evidence)
  • Pump out water and dehumidify rooms (Caution: risk of electric shock!)
  • Clear wet furniture and items out of the cellar to prevent mould from forming
  • Have any damage to the building, heating systems and electrical distribution boards inspected by qualified professionals
  • In the event of a spill of hazardous substances, inform the fire brigade


Prevention & Early Intervention

  • Carry out regular maintenance on backflow valves (which prevent water from entering from the sewer system)
  • Carry out regular maintenance on the gully covers on the premises (not on the road)
  • Arrange for any necessary structural measures, such as flood barriers for windows and doors, to protect against water ingress
  • Building works can be agreed with the insurer
  • Is there insurance cover (against natural hazards or building insurance)?
  • Keep important documents safe – not in the cellar
  • Build up food supplies and, if necessary, move them from the cellar to the upper floors in good time
  • Preparing for a possible power cut
  • Keep an eye on weather forecasts to stay informed about how the weather is set to develop