German municipalities roll out storm‑rain early‑warning and risk‑management systems

The Märkischer Kreis in North Rhine‑Westphalia has launched an inter‑municipal early‑warning system for heavy rain and flooding. The project installs sensors that measure water levels and soil moisture, combines the data with forecasts from the German Weather Service, and uses a learning‑based artificial‑intelligence model to predict flood waves up to 60 minutes in advance. The system, prompted by the deadly July 2021 “Bernd” flood that claimed two firefighters, will be accessible to the district’s water authority, emergency‑services control centre and local fire brigades.

In the Baden‑Württemberg municipality of Schenkenzell, officials are preparing a communal storm‑rain risk‑management plan. The effort analyses past flood events, such as the April 2015 heavy‑rain incident that caused landslides and building damage, and solicits input from residents via a questionnaire. The gathered data will guide measures to protect people, buildings and infrastructure from future intense precipitation.

Both initiatives reflect a broader push by German local authorities to improve preparedness for increasingly frequent and severe heavy‑rain events.