Ludwigsburg Launches Stormwater Risk Maps as Germany Ranks Low in Extreme Weather Preparedness

The city of Ludwigsburg in southwest Germany has released digital stormwater‑risk maps that show where heavy rain could cause flooding of streets, basements and properties. The maps are intended to help residents and businesses evaluate the vulnerability of their sites and are part of a municipal risk‑management programme set to run until the end of 2026, after which a detailed risk analysis and mitigation plan will be developed.

A separate global study by Compare the Market places Germany fourth among the world’s worst‑prepared nations for extreme weather, scoring 33.96 out of 100. Although the catastrophe‑risk index is relatively low, the study highlights that economic losses from severe storms average 0.24 % of Germany’s GDP each year and that public preparedness, measured by online searches for emergency kits and protection devices, lags behind leading countries such as Australia, Greece and France. Experts stress the need for more resilient energy and infrastructure systems to reduce the impact of future events.