Bad Wiessee - Days of heavy rain have repeatedly caused the Zeiselbach in Bad Wiessee to overflow its banks in recent years. Mayor Robert Kühn (SPD) had now invited to a citizens' meeting on this topic in the Gasthof Zur Post. She met with great interest. It is important to sensitize the general public to this problem, explained Kühn, who wanted a "factual, not emotional discussion".
Heavy rainfall and flood disasters have increased dramatically in recent years, explained Andreas Holderer from the Rosenheim Water Management Office (WWA). There is a risk not only in rivers, but also in torrents, lakes or high groundwater levels. In the future, problems could also arise on mountain slopes and crests, he predicted. Therefore city planners and “every house builder” are also obliged to inform themselves about the danger situation. The Free State of Bavaria also provides a hazard map for land use planning: Here in particular, one has to be aware of the great responsibility. It is important to keep endangered areas clear and to proceed sensitively, for example with the subject of "soil sealing and groundwater". In addition to adapted building, personal provision is particularly crucial:Correct behavior often makes the difference between life and death in an emergency. The speaker recommended the website www.hochwasserinfo.bayern.de (also available as a brochure).
Floods can be forecast, flash floods after heavy rain cannot
Holderer also pointed out the planned expansion of the Zeiselbach. Here in the run-up "a bar of objections" had come from residents, although they had felt the flood themselves. Patrick Burghoff, responsible for disaster control in the Miesbach district office, pointed out a problem. In contrast to floods, for which one has good forecasts and plans, one has comparatively little experience with heavy rain. The problem is the very short lead time and the spatial limitation: “Where exactly such an event occurs cannot be clearly seen in advance, even on the weather app.” Meanwhile, one has to “think the unthinkable”. It is therefore important to strengthen resilience in the population. Information is available from both the District Office's website and the Federal Office for Civil Protection.The reinstallation of warning sirens in combination with voice messages is also planned. The mobile phone warning apps Mowas and Nina are also a potential tool for more security.
Prevention is crucial, experts warn
Prevention is the decisive approach, emphasized also BRK standby leader Benedikt Dörder. He appealed to citizens to also think of old people or people in need of care, for example in the neighborhood. "In the case of a flood in the Breitenbach, 1,800 inhabitants would be affected, 500 of them over 68 years," said Dörder. People who are no longer independent are particularly vulnerable and their rescue requires a great deal of effort. In the event of a disaster, the rescue center is the point of contact for all citizens, said the chairman of the Bad Wiesssee fire department, Korbinian Herzinger. He gave an overview of the line-up and equipment of the Florians disciples, who had to do more and more often with flood operations, as most recently in 2021 with a flood in Stürzlham (we reported. Herzinger pointed out an advantage of the Wiesseer forces.In conclusion, Kühn announced a door-to-door campaign by volunteers in households in Wiesse that are suspected of being at risk, which is intended to provide information and support.
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