Housing Resilience: Enhancing Home Structures for Extreme Climate Conditions - Adverse Climatic Conditions: Enhancing Home Safety through Innovative Measures
Significant Progress a Year After Catastrophic Floods: Strengthening Housing Against Extreme Weather
Following unprecedented rainfall, the federal states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, along with neighboring regions, suffered devastating floods in late May and early June 2024. Tragically, lives were lost, and initial estimates put the damages in both states at 4.1 billion euros.
The German Insurance Association (GDV) estimates insured damages at approximately 2 billion euros, but does not differentiate between the states. Compared to recent history, the June flood was among the most severe in terms of insured damages.
Approximately 55,000 homes in the region are at risk of flooding. More than three million addresses in Baden-Württemberg fall under this category, with the majority located in the district of Rastatt, followed by the Main-Tauber district and the Rems-Murr district.
With the increasing likelihood of natural disasters due to climate change and extreme weather events, Anja Kafer-Rohrbach, deputy CEO of the GDV, warns that damages in the billions are inevitable.
To help tenants and homeowners determine their risk of heavy rain and flooding, the GDV offers a free, online flood risk assessment tool. For builders and homeowners, more proactive measures can be taken. Architect Sven Haustein of Schwäbisch Hall Building Society outlines some crucial steps:
- New constructions: Building resistant to weather can begin at the planning stage. Considerations include:
- Site selection: Avoid building near rivers, floodplains, or slopes. Slope the terrain away from the building and elevate if necessary to facilitate proper drainage.
- Robust construction: Use sturdy materials for the facade, a storm-resistant roof, and high-quality windows to withstand wind and weather.
- Secure roof: Roofs should be reinforced with storm hooks, solid nailings, and reinforced connections.
- Seal the basement: Protect against water damage based on a soil report, and use special protection for light shafts and basement windows.
- Rain and wastewater management: Utilize methods like cisterns, infiltration areas, and backflow preventers to mitigate flooding.
For existing properties, owners can take several steps to make their homes more resilient:
- Retrofit roof: Old roofs and trusses can be stabilized with storm hooks and other secure fastenings. Regular inspections bolster protection.
- Modern windows and doors: Special brackets and seals offer better protection against heavy rain and wind, and basement windows can be secured with flood protection elements.
- Install backflow preventers: Prevent sewer water from flowing back into the house, especially in houses with lower levels.
- Landscaping: Planting hedges, installing drains or infiltration areas, and other adaptations can help keep water and wind away from the house.
- Smart technology: Automatic awnings and roller shutters can react to weather warnings and close independently, enhancing safety.
Many may assume that building insurance covers all potential damage, but this is often not the case. Know that:
- Damage caused by storm, hail, lightning, and water pipes is typically covered by building or contents insurance.
- For damage caused by flooding, landslide, snow pressure, earthquake, or avalanche, additional elemental damage insurance is required.
- Coverage for damage caused by rising groundwater is usually not included—unless it mixes with surface water—nor is damage resulting from human influences such as construction work or mining.
- Backup damage often needs to be insured separately.
The flood disaster has reignited the discussion about mandatory insurance against flood damage. The GDV states that only about half of German buildings are protected against so-called elemental damages by insurance. In Baden-Württemberg, the percentage is already 94%. Insurers now advocate for a building ban in floodplains.
- Baden-Württemberg
- Floods
- GDV
- Bavaria
- Flooding
- Insurance
- Flood risk assessment
- Adaptation measures
- Water management
- Sven Haustein
- Schwäbisch Hall Building Society
Additional context:
In 2023, Baden-Württemberg passed a climate change mitigation and adaptation law that strengthens its approach to adapting to climate hazards including floods. Spatial planning at municipal and regional levels is increasingly incorporating flood risk and social vulnerability data to prioritize and target adaptation measures effectively.
Municipalities are turning to nature-based solutions such as creating or expanding green spaces and restoring rivers and wetlands to reduce runoff, increase soil absorption, and provide natural flood defenses. The German Environment Agency supports local planners in implementing these solutions and in navigating funding options.
Reducing impermeable surfaces through voluntary or regulated limits in flood-prone areas helps slow water flow and reduce peak flood levels. Efforts to upgrade infrastructure, such as embankments, drainage improvements, and sewer system upgrades, can also protect urban areas from flooding.
- Recognizing the increased likelihood of floods due to climate change and extreme weather events, the German Environment Agency is supporting local planners in implementing nature-based solutions, such as creating and expanding green spaces, to reduce runoff, increase soil absorption, and provide natural flood defenses.
- In light of the devastating floods that hit Germany in 2024, Anja Kafer-Rohrbach, deputy CEO of the German Insurance Association (GDV), has emphasized the importance of mandatory insurance against flood damage, especially as only about half of German buildings are currently protected against such elemental damages by insurance.
- To promote vocational training and education in environmental science, particularly focusing on topics related to climate change and environmental hazards, EC countries could collaborate on implementing policies that prioritize vocational training programs in weather forecasting, weather-related disaster management, and environmental-science-based adaptation strategies.
