No climate scenarios are used, but heavy rain events and flash floods in Germany over the last 20 to 30 years are analysed. The heavy rain events are not studied to determine whether they are a result of climate change.

Results:

• Database containing more than 400 events resulting in damage in Germany from the last approx. 20 years They provide a sound overview of the occurrence of these events and an estimate of the damage incurred.
• Case study reports on flash flood events in 15 communities in Germany. Based on the evaluation of population structures, topography, meteorological studies, precipitation and drainage analyses, recording of damage incurred and ex-post analyses of past response patterns, new practical findings will be produced on the nature, character, frequency and consequences of torrential rain and flash floods in populated areas.
• National evaluation of precipitation radar measures from the last eight years shows the regions in Germany in which a particular risk of heavy rain can be expected.

No climate effects are analysed but the consequences of flash floods caused by heavy rain events in the past and the resulting damage in urban areas are studied.

Results

Drawing up appropriate and practical hazard and risk analysis methods for flash floods in communities and model-based production of hazard and risk maps.

Possible preventive measures and actions are developed in communities, e.g. arranging insurance, technical measures or information distribution using brochures and establishing community hazard and risk maps for flash floods as part of risk management. For example, temporary retention areas in green space for temporary intermediate storage of surface drainage can be used for adaptation. The project will also provide new findings on risk management for torrential rain and flash floods in populated areas. The project will also supply new information on the regional risk distribution and character for torrential rain in populated areas.

The results are:

• Gathering and evaluation of measures to minimise damage from flash floods (warning, overcoming events, prevention) in the fields of water management, urban development and construction, disaster protection.
• Ongoing development of the German Meteorological Office's "KONRAD" adverse weather warning system, with the objective of faster identification of quasi-stationary convective heavy rain cells, which frequently trigger flash floods.