New FloodCheck app: Protect your home from flooding!

New FloodCheck app: Protect your home from flooding!

North Rhine-Westphalia recently launched a new app called “FloodCheck,” which allows users to check the risk of flooding and heavy rain for their residential address. This innovative application was developed by the Emschergenossenschaft and the Lippeverband (EGLV) and is intended to help increase the security of your own home.

With the FloodCheck app, citizens can enter their address and simulate various scenarios. The app uses publicly available data, including hazard maps and geospatial information, to show which areas could potentially be flooded and what the water levels could be where people live. This information helps users better prepare for possible extreme weather events.

FloodCheck app features

The app not only offers rotatable 3D views of residential properties, but also a helpful traffic light system for assessing the risk. In addition, users receive practical tips on how to prepare for emergencies, such as food storage, hygiene measures and how to set up a medicine cabinet. The aim of the app is to provide quick and easy access to important information.

This information is particularly relevant as heavy rain events and river floods are becoming more and more of a reality. Since the devastating heavy rain and flood disaster in July 2021, which affected almost half of all cities and communities in North Rhine-Westphalia, it has become clear how important such preventative measures are. So far, 839 million euros have already been approved for private households and companies to repair the damage.

Availability and further information

The FloodCheck app is available free of charge in the app stores under the names “H2OCH water app/for the house” and “EGLV FloodCheck”. The app can also be accessed online at floodcheck.net be called. The app's nationwide rollout is expected to take up to nine months, having previously only been available in cities such as Bochum, Bottrop, and Essen.

In addition, the Ministry for Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Construction and Digitalization in North Rhine-Westphalia will continue to strengthen heavy rain and flood protection measures. With a budget of around 300,000 euros from reconstruction, the app will play an important role in the country's environmental and disaster protection initiatives.

For further information on the dangers of heavy rain and flooding as well as on the FloodCheck app, further details are available on the official website of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Radio WAF reports on the opportunities this technology offers for flood protection, while the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of the Environment explains the development and the available resources.