Checklist floods and heavy rain

Mud-filled canals, overflowing rivers and flooded streets are unfortunately images that we see more and more. But what can citizens do to protect themselves, their homes, their businesses and cities? Our flood checklist provides information on the most important measures to take as a precaution, but also in the event of an emergency.

Die Feuerwehr ist auf einer verschlammten Straße im Einsatz bei Hochwasser und Starkregen.

Every year floods and heavy rain cause a lot of damage.

Ein Retentionsbecken: Bauliche Maßnahmen zum Auffangen und Ableiten von Hangwässern in einer Gemeinde in Niederösterreich.

Sometimes simple solutions can be very effective: Structural measures for interception and drainage of slope water in a municipality in Lower Austria, designed based on visualizations with Visdom.

Mehrere aufeinander geschlichtete Sandsäcke auf schlammigem Untergrund, dahinter ein Feuerwehrauto.

Mobile Schutzmaßnahmen, wie Sandsackbarrieren, können im Fall von Hochwasser und Starkregen gefährliche Wassermassen abhalten.

Precautions - what you can do at any time

Flood map of Austria: go to https://hora.gv.at/ to find out about potential hazards to your home (e.g., floods).
Create a checklist of important equipment and pack an emergency kit (e.g., power bank to charge your cell phone, small pharmacy kit, flashlight or candles, sturdy shoes, hygiene items)
Stock up on food and beverages (for more information, contact the Civil Defense Association)
Create an alarm and emergency plan
Identify structural weak points in your building
Adapt the use of your rooms to the existing flood risk (e.g. do not store valuables in the basement)
Consider taking out insurance: insurance against natural hazards or household insurance
Prepare flood equipment (e.g. rubber boots, life jacket, waterproof clothing, heat source, water pump)
Keep your documents flood-proof and also make copies of the documents

Before an extreme weather event

Apply your checklist and plan of action
Move children, mobility-impaired persons, and animals to safety
Move cars and other vehicles out of the area at risk
Move valuables and particularly vulnerable items from the building areas at immediate risk (e.g., basement, first floor) to higher floors
Specific protective measures:
Follow weather forecasts and monitor current developments via weather cameras from meteorological stations
Install mobile flood protection (e.g. sandbags, boards)
Help neighbors/get help
Pack your emergency kit (e.g., medicines, hygiene items, flashlight, warm/waterproof clothing)
Charge your cell phone

During an extreme weather event

Avoid shoreline areas
Do not drive on (partially) flooded roads
Stay in your house or apartment unless otherwise directed by emergency personnel
Move yourself and others to safety in the flood-proof rooms of your shelter
There is danger to life in basements and underground garages
In case of emergency, call the fire department at 122
Follow the instructions of the emergency services
When attempting rescue, always ensure your own safety first
Order of priority: people, animals, property

After an extreme weather event

Check that it is safe to enter your living area
Remove mud and water residues as quickly as possible
Dry affected areas to prevent structural damage, mold and pest infestation
Document the damage with photos and report it to the insurance company
Have damages on your building inspected by professionals
Check electrical appliances and equipment affected by floods before operating them
Ventilate the rooms, especially if pollutants have been released in the rooms
Do not start your car if there is still water in the engine compartment; contact your garage and insurance company
Clarify your claims from the disaster fund
Do not hesitate to seek psychological help (crisis intervention) in this acute situation (e.g. Red Cross).

For many years we have been dealing with all aspects of hydrodynamic modelling. With our software Visdom we can model different scenarios and also offer this as a service.

The Raincloud project's goal is to optimize and extend the simulation software Visdom to tackle the increasing challenges in water planning and disaster management in the face of climate change.

The goal of HORA 3D is the development and maintenance of a publicly accessible web application for object-related visualization of the results of the HORA 3 research project.

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