Heavy rain

The frequency of extreme precipitation events is also increasing in our latitudes due to climate change. Heavy rain is difficult to predict. It can hit anyone, anywhere, at any time. How can you protect yourself? What do you need to watch out for?

Heavy rain hazard maps

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Click here for theheavy rain hazard mapsfor the district of Rastatt

During heavy rainfall, it is not just precipitation from above that is a problem. If it rains an unusually large amount at once, water can enter the building in various ways: as surface water, as backwater via the sewer system or as rising groundwater that penetrates through the cellar walls or the floor slab. This can cause major damage to objects and the fabric of the building. The so-called heavy rain hazard maps are a means of realistically assessing the risk.

Things to know about heavy rain

Heavy rain hazard maps: Where it can be dangerous

Heavy rain hazard maps for the entire district of Rastatt are available on the website of the Rastatt District Office. Under "Information" you will find explanations on how to create and use the heavy rain hazard maps. The heavy rain hazard maps are also available for you to view in paper form.

The heavy rain hazard maps are based on the results of the hazard analysis, which was developed in the period from March 2021 to November 2023 as part of the cooperation project "Municipal heavy rain risk management concept for the district of Rastatt and the city of Baden-Baden".
A planning consortium consisting of the engineering firms "Wald + Corbe Consulting GmbH, Hügelsheim" and "geomer GmbH, Heidelberg" was commissioned with the development.

How can heavy rain hazard maps help me?

You can use the heavy rain hazard maps to see whether your property or business is located in an area that could be flooded by heavy rain in a selected runoff scenario: If your property is located in a section that is colored dark blue, it is in an area that floods particularly deeply during a heavy rainfall event. Light shades of blue indicate shallower depths.

Take a look at the flooding depths. Compare these with the heights of all building openings (gates, doors, light wells, low-lying windows, etc.). If these are below the expected water level, you should take precautions. In this case, you have probably already had problems in the past during heavy rainfall events. You should think about the future height of your outdoor or green area, especially when renovating or building a new home.

What can I do to protect myself from water ingress?

  • Observe heavy rain warnings from the German Weather Service
  • Install warning apps on the smartphone
  • Find out whether your building is located in an area at risk of heavy rainfall. The heavy rain hazard maps will give you a good insight.
  • Check your insurance cover
  • Limit the inflow of water and actively create infiltration possibilities:
    Make sure to unseal and plant areas, use rainwater in cisterns, build or raise garden walls and retention basins. Remember that water may not be diverted or diverted to the detriment of neighbors (see § 37 of the Water Resources Act).
  • If necessary, make structural changes to the building. You can also find information on this in the flyer "Heavy rain and building precautions"

Danger due to backwater

Water pushing through floor drains or washing machine drains in the basement is a sure sign that there is no backflow protection. Temporarily increased water levels in the public sewer system are quite possible and unavoidable. For this reason, every domestic wastewater connection must be protected against backwater. The backwater level to be taken into account here is at least equal to the height of the top edge of the road. We recommend adding at least another 20 cm. According to the statutes, the house connection and also the backwater protection is the responsibility of the connected house owner. This is also the case in Rastatt.

At Stadtentwässerung Rastatt, we offer you the opportunity to arrange a free consultation at your premises in order to narrow down the necessary measures. If you would like our advice, please send us an e-mail to wasserwirtschaft@rastatt.de to arrange an appointment. Please also include your telephone number for any queries. You can of course also contact your trusted plumbing company/trade business directly.

Personal provision: Your property - your responsibility

Inform yourself, protect yourself: Take a look at the possible entry routes for water in your building - plan appropriate protective measures when constructing or renovating a new building or retrofit an existing building. Because: The responsibility lies with you

The legal situation stipulates that citizens must take reasonable precautions themselves in the event of flooding and heavy rainfall:

"Any person who may be affected by flooding is obliged, within the bounds of what is possible and reasonable, to take suitable precautionary measures to protect against the adverse consequences of flooding and to minimize damage, in particular to adapt the use of property to the possible adverse consequences of flooding for people, the environment or property." (Excerpt from the Federal Water Act, § 5 General duties of care, para. 2)

Heavy rain and building precautions

A graphic on the subject of "Heavy rain and building precautions"

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