Heavy rain management in Kevelaer
Heavy rainfall events have increased significantly worldwide in recent years due to climate change and changing climatic conditions. These extreme weather events cause dangerous flooding, which can pose a threat to the population and cause considerable damage. Further such extreme events are also expected in the coming years.
The pilgrimage town of Kevelaer has had heavy rainfall maps drawn up for the town area so that our citizens, businesses and tradespeople and, of course, the local authority can better identify danger spots and take suitable precautionary measures.
The aim is to prevent flooding in the urban area that could lead to damage to people or property as far as possible through private and public precautions and to minimize damage in the event of flooding.
What is heavy rain?
Heavy rain refers to intensive rainfall in which large amounts of precipitation fall on an often spatially limited area within a short period of time. In contrast to floods, in which rivers swell and burst their banks, heavy rainfall is sudden and localized rainfall that is difficult to predict.
The German Weather Service (DWD) therefore issues warnings of heavy rainfall in three stages if certain threshold values are likely to be exceeded:
- 15 to 25 l/m² in 1 hour or 20 to 35 l/m² in 6 hours (prominent weather warning)
- over 25 to 40 l/m² in 1 hour or over 35 to 60 l/m² in 6 hours (severe weather warning)
- over 40 l/m² in 1 hour or over 60 l/m² in 6 hours (warning of extreme thunderstorms)
What are the dangers of heavy rain?
Heavy rainfall events are associated with considerable risks that are often difficult to predict. The most important risks include
- Unpredictability: Heavy rain is often difficult to predict precisely, which makes it difficult to prepare for such events.
- Flooding and landslides: The sudden large amount of water can lead to flooding that damages roads, houses and infrastructure. There is also an increased risk of landslides, especially on slopes.
- Danger in low-lying areas: Low-lying areas such as cellars, underpasses or properties in depressions are particularly at risk, as water can accumulate there quickly and flood these areas.
Precaution
Private individuals are legally obliged to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their property from the consequences of heavy rainfall (Section 5 (2) WHG). This can be done through structural measures or the use of protection systems.
The heavy rainfall map of the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer can be viewed online at: https://starkregen-kevelaer.fischer-teamplan.de/.
The heavy rain hazard maps can also be viewed at the municipal utilities and the city administration by appointment.