Answers to frequently asked questions: Storms and flooding
In the event of exceptional storms or flooding in Wiesbaden, you will find answers to frequently asked questions and background information here.
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Rescue and emergency services cannot help all companies, facilities or citizens at the same time in the event of a large-scale crisis. It is therefore advisable to take your own precautions. You can find out how to prepare for floods or other crises on the Emergency preparedness page.
Which parts of the city are at risk of flooding and how?
Various maps show which parts of the city are likely to be flooded and how. The technical term for this is flood inundation limits. There are also maps that show the risks associated with heavy rainfall.
Flow path maps are not sufficient for the concrete risk assessment on site and the development of measures in individual cases. Heavy rain hazard maps (opens in a new tab) are used for this purpose. They calculate the water runoff from a large amount of individual data and take into account small-scale characteristics. Such maps have been available for the whole of Wiesbaden since 2023.
Where can I find out about water levels?
The current flood report for the Rhine (opens in a new tab) can be found at the Rhineland-Palatinate Flood Forecasting Center. The current flood report for the Main can be found at the Bavarian Flood Information Service. The automatic water level announcement of the Mainz gauge can be reached at (06131) 19429. Further information can also be found on the flood portal of the state of Hesse.
Alternatively, you can install the "Meine Pegel" app. This is the official water level and flood app with around 3,000 water gauges in Germany. The app is available for Android devices and the Rhine (opens in a new tab) can be found at the Rhineland-Palatinate Flood Forecasting Center. The current flood report for the Main (opens in a new tab) can be found at the Bavarian Flood Information Service. The automatic water level announcement of the Mainz gauge can be reached at (06131) 19429. Further information can also be found on the flood portal of the state of Hesse.
Alternatively, you can install the "Meine Pegel" app. This is the official water level and flood app with around 3,000 water gauges in Germany. The app is available for Android devices and the Main (opens in a new tab) can be found at the Bavarian Flood Information Service. The automatic water level announcement of the Mainz gauge can be reached at (06131) 19429. Further information can also be found on the flood portal of the state of Hesse (opens in a new tab).
Outdoors: Do not enter riverbank areas due to the risk of undercutting or break-offs. Do not drive on flooded or partially flooded roads. Avoid unnecessary "walks" in flooded areas with boats or other vehicles.
In buildings: Clear out basements into which groundwater can penetrate or which could fill up. Check the backwater flaps in the cellar before the water rises. Do not stay in the cellar during floods. This is life-threatening. Switch off electrical appliances and heaters in rooms that could flood. Be aware of the risk of electric shock. If necessary, switch off the power completely (remove the fuse).
In the car: Drive your car out of endangered garages or parking lots in good time. Underground garages can become deadly traps during floods. Do not drive through flooded streets. Water in the engine compartment is dangerous. The catalytic converter, which has an operating temperature of 700 degrees Celsius, will burst if suddenly cooled by water. Have your vehicle towed away if it is up to its wheels in water.
Pumping out: Only start pumping out water in the house when you are sure that the groundwater level has dropped sufficiently. Otherwise you will damage the floor pan of the house.
Documentation: Make an inventory and take photos of the damage for the insurance company.
Drying: Remove water residue and mud from the house. Dry the rooms as quickly as possible to avoid structural damage or mold. Use heating appliances for drying. You can also hire or borrow these. Have the electrics, oil tanks and, in special cases, the building statics checked by specialists.
Garbage: Dirty, broken furniture and spoiled food should not be disposed of with household garbage, but must be disposed of properly. Do not eat fruit, vegetables and salad from flooded areas.
How does the city prepare for flooding?
Floods cannot be prevented. Absolute protection against flooding is also impossible. Technical facilities also only offer protection up to a certain water level. The city of Wiesbaden has taken various measures to prepare for flooding.
Designation of areas at risk in urban land-use plans,
Maintaining and creating water retention areas in flood plains,
Avoidance of new buildings on bodies of water and
mobile flood protection walls in Hafenstraße at Schiersteiner Hafen and at four road access points in Kostheim that lead to the Main. These mobile installations are effective in the event of water masses that occur during 10 to 20-year flood events. Further information can be found on the page Flood protection on the Rhine and Main (opens in a new tab).
General information on severe weather
How can I prepare for severe weather?
Rescue and emergency services cannot help all companies, facilities or citizens at the same time in the event of a large-scale crisis. It is therefore advisable to take your own precautions. You can find out how to prepare for storms or other crises on the Emergency preparedness page.
Where can I find out about severe weather warnings?
Outdoors: Secure movable objects such as garden furniture if it is still possible. Seek shelter inside buildings. Avoid unprotected places where you could be hit by hail or flying objects. In the event of hail, if there is no shelter, lie face down on the ground and protect your head and neck with your hands. During thunderstorms, squat down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together, preferably in a hollow. Keep a minimum distance of 50 meters from overhead power lines. Avoid all objects with metal parts such as umbrellas and bicycles.
In buildings: Close windows and shutters in the event of hail and hurricanes. Keep away from unprotected openings. Find an interior room on the ground floor. Avoid basements, however, as they can quickly become flooded with water and turn into life-threatening traps. Avoid halls with large ceiling spans during heavy storms. Disconnect sensitive appliances from the mains or use a surge protector. Animals are very frightened by storms. Try to calm your animals. Make sure that animals cannot leave sheltered areas such as homes or stables.
In the car: You are generally safe in the car during thunderstorms. Stay in the vehicle and do not touch any bare metal parts.
Before cleaning up, check and document what has been damaged or destroyed by water or broken glass.
If a building is badly damaged, stay outside. Do not re-enter the building until it has been cleared by experts. Be careful when entering flooded cellars: There is a risk of electric shock if the house junction box is located in the cellar.
Only operate electrical appliances if they have not become wet.
What is the difference between heavy rain and flooding?
Both floods and heavy rainfall can lead to flooding. However, they differ in important respects: Rising levels of rivers and streams lead to flooding. This is caused, among other things, by intense continuous rainfall or melting snow. Such floods are sometimes announced days in advance. Floods caused by heavy rainfall, on the other hand, are not tied to rivers or streams, but can occur in many places. It is the result of local, sudden heavy rainfall. It is hardly predictable in terms of time and location. Dried out or frozen soils that do not allow rainfall to seep away intensify flash floods.
Sometimes the effects of floods and heavy rainfall overlap: This is when small streams in narrow valleys are unable to drain off sudden masses of water. In Wiesbaden, for example, this is the case with the Rambach. It flows towards the city center through a narrow valley surrounded by steep slopes. During heavy rainfall, the Rambach can swell into a torrential river in a very short space of time.
When should I call 112 in the event of flooding or severe weather?
The fire department is only responsible if there is a specific danger to people, animals, the environment or property. An example to illustrate this: If a tree is lying safely in the garden, you call a private specialist company and not the fire department.
Due to the large number of emergency calls in the event of a crisis, there may be waiting times on the emergency call lines. If your report does not have a high priority, wait a little while before calling.
The fire department, rescue services and other forces work on emergency scenes according to priority. It may therefore take some time for them to reach you. Do not make any enquiries about the arrival of the emergency services unless the situation has deteriorated or the emergency services are no longer required.
If someone is injured, administer first aid and call the emergency services on 112 if necessary.
If harmful substances such as paint, varnish, pesticides, petrol or oil have leaked, call the fire department on 112. Notify the Office for Agriculture, (0561) 72990, zentralellh.hessende if pollutants such as oil have leaked into gardens or fields.
If it is safe to do so, you can clean up storm or water damage yourself or call in a specialist company. The deployment of the fire department or other forces in the event of storm or water damage may be subject to a charge.
