Digital gauges for Winnenden: Floods - no more surprises!

Digital gauges for Winnenden: Floods - no more surprises!

There is a new digital solution for monitoring water levels in Winnenden: The “My Levels” app shows, among other things, the water level in the Buchenbach on Mühltorstrasse. This comes just in time after the city was hit by heavy rains in early June 2024, resulting in severe flooding. Cellars and garages were flooded, gardens were devastated and the livelihoods of many citizens were threatened. The only measuring level in the area, which is located in the Buchenbach in Leutenbach, has proven to be unsuitable for Winnenden to issue timely warnings, as it does not function optimally as a warning device, as ZVW reported.

The launch of the app offers a welcome addition to existing warning systems and aims to increase public safety. In times when precipitation events are becoming less frequent but more intense, it is important to have current data available. The timely communication of information on water levels can be crucial, especially given future climate changes that have been shown to lead to extreme weather events.

The flood atlas as an information resource

The flood atlas from the Federal Office of Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) plays an important role in analyzing the risk of flooding. This free web application provides access to various data sets, including current river flows, precipitation values ​​and precipitation forecasts. This information is essential to assess potential flooding and take appropriate measures, as BKG highlights.

With the flood atlas, which combines current data with additional information, both authorities and the public can access important information. The web application visualizes flood-relevant data sets on a digital map, making it easier to handle and analyze the data. A user guide update and new features were last provided on June 20, 2023.

The importance of local warning systems

However, it is important to understand that the Flood Atlas does not replace local warnings from the relevant authorities. The responsibility for providing flood data and warnings remains with public bodies. Despite the opportunities offered by digital technology, it is important that the information provided by authorities is transmitted in a timely and accurate manner in order to protect the population.

Overall, the introduction of the digital gauge app in Winnenden and the availability of the flood atlas shows how important it is to use modern technologies to improve safety and warning systems against flood events. The combination of technological innovations and proven local warning mechanisms could significantly strengthen communities' resilience to future weather events.