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Darmstadt receives funding for innovative warning solution
Wiesbaden/Darmstadt. Hesse is relying on digital solutions to protect against extreme weather events: The state is funding the further expansion of heavy rain early warning systems in numerous municipalities and districts. Around 42 percent of the population – covering almost half the state's area – are expected to benefit from the technology, which provides citizens and emergency services with early warning of flooding.
Digital Minister Kristina Sinemus emphasized: "We are making Hesse resilient and future-proof with innovative digital solutions. While flooding cannot be prevented, its consequences can be significantly mitigated." The state is providing more than 10 million euros for the implementation of the systems through the "Strong Homeland Hesse" .
Darmstadt extends heavy rain warning
Darmstadt, the city of science, is also receiving funding. Climate Protection Director Michael Kolmer explained:
"The recent heavy rainfall events in northern Darmstadt, with over 40 liters of rain per square meter in a short period of time, led to massive flooding and flooded basements. They have once again demonstrated the importance of establishing comprehensive heavy rainfall management. The installation of an early warning system for heavy rainfall is a key measure in this regard."
How the system works
precipitation, water levels, and runoff patterns in real time and combines this data with forecasts from the German Weather Service. If critical values are reached, an alarm is automatically triggered:
- Citizens receive push messages or calls via a free app.
- Emergency services and administration are also informed via SMS and voice call .
- Artificial intelligence analyzes the data and optimizes the alarm process through self-learning.
The “Heavy Rain App” is available free of charge for Android and Apple .
background
The pilot project "e-Risk Management Heavy Rainfall Early Warning System" was launched in the Fulda district in 2021 and has since proven its worth in practice. The current funding phase will enable the solution to be reused in other municipalities. The goal is to establish a dense warning network in Hesse and better prepare municipalities, emergency services, and the population for the consequences of climate change.
Further information on the funding program is available at www.digitales.hessen.de and www.smarte-region-hessen.de .
