Consequences of Climate Change and Flood Protection

As a city on the tide-exposed Elbe, the risk of flooding for Hamburg, is ever-present, particularly from storm floods. Around one-third of the city area is regarded as being at risk of flooding. Holger Poser, Head of Department of Disaster Management and Civil Protection
Ministry of the Interior, will describe at the acqua alta conference, how the city prepares for the constant threat. 

Such important communication with the citizens is dealt with explicitly at the "Operations Management and Communication" Round Table. Professor Walter Leal, Head of the Research and Transfer Centre, "Applications of Life Sciences", at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg, discussed this central theme with representatives from aid organisations. 

Communication, cooperation, coordination are key terms for structuring effective and enduring disaster protection at a national and international level. The THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) form a stable network of state and non-state institutions, which action forces rely on in case of a disaster. 

How preparations are made in the French capital for rising floods from the Seine and which consequences this has in the metropolis is described by the former Secretary General for Disaster Protection in Paris, Gérard Charguellon. Reinhardt Vogt, Managing Director of the Flood Competence Centre Cologne, cites the NOAH project as a promising example of flood protection, in which Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands are participating. NOAH pursues the goal of providing all relevant parties with flood-related information as quickly as possible, in order to manage crisis situations more quickly. A central component is the Fliwas (FLood Information and WArning System) digital flood information system, which is also aimed at the general public. 

An effective alternative to the sandbag is being presented at the acqua alta exhibition by European Flood Control (EFC), from Bremen. The European representative office of International Flood Control, the world's largest manufacturer of refillable and reusable sandbag replacement systems, is presenting the "Tigerdam" multipurpose hose. The ‘Tigerdam' is filled with water can be used quickly and flexibly. In comparison to working with sandbags, the personnel requirement is reduced significantly. The multipurpose hose can also be used in the hazardous goods sector. The "Tigerdam" passed its performance test during the flood in New Orleans (USA) in 2005, where it was used.