Title: Flooding Concerns Persist in NRW as Rain Keeps Falling
The relentless downpours and over-saturated grounds have elevated the flood risk in numerous areas of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The State Agency for Nature, Environment, and Consumer Protection (Lanuv) reported that the Weser tributaries in the eastern part of the state are the most severely impacted. At six monitoring stations in this region, the highest alert level was reached, hinting at the possibility of residential areas and buildings experiencing a higher degree of flooding. The local authorities will determine the necessary actions to be taken.
On Christmas Day morning, the second-highest flood warning level was surpassed at 17 water gauge stations across NRW, including those in the Lippe, Ems, and Ruhr river catchment areas. This alert level suggests the potential for individual residential properties or cellars to be flooded. The first warning level, which signifies the risk of agricultural and forestry land being impacted, was passed at 41 monitoring stations. It's important to note that the monitoring stations on the Rhine and Weser are excluded from this count.
Due to the flooding, the dykes in North Rhine-Westphalia are placing significant strain on the emergency services, who are carrying out stabilization measures for some of the protective structures in the state.
On Monday, the German Weather Service (DWD) extended their severe weather warning for numerous districts and cities due to the continuous rainfall of between 15 and 25 liters per square meter in the Bergisches Land and Siegerland regions. This rainfall is expected to persist until Tuesday morning, with up to 35 liters per square meter in heavily congested areas. However, the precipitation is expected to decrease somewhat temporarily on Tuesday.
Background Insights
Heavy rainfalls followed by saturated grounds often raise concerns about localized flooding, which can be exacerbated by the rapid onset of floods and other environmental factors. For instance, the 2021 flood in the Ahr valley was a notable extreme event, resulting in fatalities and substantial economic losses. The event raised doubts about the accuracy and comprehensiveness of official hazard maps, which may have led to sub-optimal decision-making in terms of evacuation and emergency responses.
Additional Reading
In summary, on-going rainfall and over-saturated grounds have contributed to a heightened flood risk in various parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Weser tributaries, specifically in the eastern part of the state, are among the most affected areas, prompting local authorities to take necessary measures. Persistent rainfall is expected to continue, possibly leading to localized flooding in heavily congested areas.
