On 19 November, an exciting event on the topic of water took place as part of the ‘Natural Hazards’ series. The event, which took place in the Bürgerforum civic centre in Hoffnungsthal, was dedicated to the challenges posed by heavy rainfall and flooding, which are particularly relevant in Rösrath.
Ronja Winkhardt-Enz from the German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) and Reinhard Vogt from the Flood Competence Centre (HKC) shared valuable insights and experiences. Ronja Winkhardt-Enz presented the tasks of the DKKV and discussed the lessons learnt from the flood, presenting various strategies based on a multi-hazard approach. She emphasised the need for close cooperation between authorities, science and the public. She emphasised the importance of implementing warning systems at an early stage and carrying out regular exercises in order to be well prepared in the event of an emergency.
Reinhard Vogt rounded off the discussion with practical tips on how municipalities and individuals can better prepare for such extreme events – which also includes structural civil protection.