Bad Rappenau informs: How to protect your property from heavy rain!

Bad Rappenau informs: How to protect your property from heavy rain!

On July 16, 2025, around 50 interested parties came to the Kurhaus Bad Rappenau to find out about the topic of "heavy rain risk management". At this citizens' meeting, Mayor Sebastian Frei, employees of the municipal civil engineering office as well as experts from the Klinger and Partner office, explained various measures to protect against the increasing heavy rain events.

With these meetings, in particular, property owners want to bring the risks of heavy rain closer and show them opportunities how they can protect themselves from possible damage. Often enough, floods do not occur in the immediate vicinity of waters, but endanger areas that lie below the street level, such as underground car park access and cellar entrances.

protective measures for the citizens

In the course of the meeting, heavy rain cards were also presented. These cards show potential flood depths and flow speeds based on an "extraordinary" heavy rain event. The maps for the core city and the districts are available via the urban website and offer a good basis for owners to take appropriate pension measures. Civil engineering manager Erich Haffelder informed that every 10 to 30 years must be expected with such an extraordinary weather event, which can significantly burden the sewage system.

Suggestions were drawn up for private provision that are quite practical: roofing, backloads, sandbags or thresholds in front of light shafts. Appropriate protective measures are also provided for public buildings, which are supplemented by profile and recommendations for action.

joint efforts against heavy rain

As part of the meeting, it became clear that the topic not only requires municipal efforts, but also the state of Baden-Württemberg is active. The municipalities are provided with a uniform guide for the “municipal heavy rain risk management”, as reported rp.baden-wuerttemberg.de. This guide supports the municipalities in the analysis of dangers and the development of measures to avoid damage.

Local rain cards are also helpful, which serve to analyze surface outflow and to develop concrete measures. The country's support is not insignificant: municipalities who tackle this process can be reimbursed by the state government.

raise awareness and sensitize

The aim of these comprehensive measures is to sensitize both the municipalities and the citizens to the possible dangers of heavy rain and to make better preparations. Especially in the summer months, when thunderstorms often cause great damage, it is important to develop proactive strategies. In Bad Rappenau and beyond, there are many signs that indicate possible dangers. Old won names such as "Seewiese" or "In the Seegarten" are just a few examples that indicate the risks in the region.

Overall, a clear appeal to the citizens and the administration was formulated at the citizens' meeting: Together it is important to raise awareness of heavy rain events and to take appropriate protective measures to minimize damage and protect the population.