This is how Bad Berleburg protects its home from heavy rain and climate damage!

This is how Bad Berleburg protects its home from heavy rain and climate damage!

The capricious weather is increasing - this is also noticeable in Bad Berleburg. Citizens, including Juliane Berger, have pointed out the problems during heavy thunderstorms to the city administration. Mud and rubble flow from the upper village into the lower village, which has already caused damage on several occasions. One homeowner said she placed sandbags on her front street to prevent water from entering her garage. At her side, however, she reports insufficient support from the city.

To address the concerns of residents, Bad Berleburg's climate protection manager Carolin Simon organized a climate protection walk. Unfortunately, only two interested citizens took part, which underlines the problem that many do not take the extent of the dangers seriously. Lennard Stach from the Siegen-Wittgenstein Energy Association explained to participants the difference between floods and heavy rain, warning that future extreme weather events cannot be ruled out. He pointed out that during heavy rain, parts of the lower village could be knee-deep in water.

Preparations for the future

Achim Vorbau, the operations manager of the waterworks, emphasized that even if extreme weather events are currently rare, preparations should not be neglected. Recommendations for prevention include, among other things, securing light wells and digging trenches. In addition, Marc Schönert, a committed citizen and employee of the city administration, has installed drainage to improve water flow.

Another aspect that Stach discussed was the role of sealed surfaces - they hinder water drainage and worsen the situation in times of heavy rain. Marion Baltes also suggested securing light wells from heavy rain so as not to jeopardize insurance coverage. This becomes particularly important when considering current trends in the insurance space.

Insurance protection against natural hazards

According to the Consumer Center, taking out natural hazard insurance is an essential step for homeowners to protect themselves against the effects of natural events. Natural hazard insurance, which is usually only available as a supplement to classic residential building and contents insurance, is becoming increasingly important. It should be noted that differences in premiums between insurers can be significant. Independent advice, such as that offered by Stiftung Warentest or the consumer advice center, can be very helpful here.

The data on climate change speaks for itself: extreme weather events are increasing in Germany. In 2024, natural hazards caused insured losses amounting to around six billion euros - twice as much as the average in recent years. Floods caused by heavy rain are particularly hard hit. Insurance premiums are rising, especially for residential building insurance, and properties in flood-prone zones have to expect rising costs, as they can become up to 300 percent more expensive, as HNA reported.

Currently, around half of the residential buildings in Germany are not insured against such natural hazards, as standard contracts usually only cover fire and storm risks. In this context, the discussion about the introduction of compulsory insurance against natural hazards is becoming increasingly louder, especially after the floods in 2021. It remains to be seen in what form and when such reforms will actually be implemented.

With preventive measures such as structural adjustments, higher electrical installations and the avoidance of new buildings in flood areas, politicians want to increase insurance coverage and better protect the population. However, the current situation in Bad Berleburg shows that awareness and preparations for the coming challenges still need to be intensified.