Informative, Competent, Up-to-date
The Flood Competence Center
The HKC is a registered association that brings together those affected by heavy rain and flooding, politicians, scientists and a wide range of flood protection stakeholders in a unique network. Through the dialogue that this creates, the HKC's work promotes local heavy rain and flood prevention and raises awareness. The HKC brings together science and practice in the spirit of holistic heavy rain and flood risk management, thereby promoting the sustainable development, provision and transfer of expertise.
The focus is on establishing and expanding information networks, as well as preparing, developing and implementing projects, research initiatives and studies on the sustainable, economical and, above all, practical handling of heavy rain and flooding. The results are to be made available to all interested parties, creating an optimal information and communication platform for all individuals and institutions involved and interested in heavy rain and flood risk management.
The HKC supports citizens
Heavy rain and flood prevention
How to protect my house properly
The brochure "So schütze ich mich und mein Haus – Starkregen und Hochwasser" (How to protect myself and my home – heavy rain and flooding) helps homeowners, tenants and building managers to identify flood risks and reduce them through targeted preventive measures. It provides practical advice on how buildings and properties can be better protected against the consequences of heavy rain and flooding through structural, organisational and insurance measures.
You can download the brochure in PDF format here (available only in German).
Risk communication FOR local authorities
Brochure for local authorities
The brochure "Überflutungsrisiken kommunizieren, Eigenvorsorge stärken – Für eine resiliente Kommune in Zeiten des Klimawandels (Communicating flood risks, strengthening personal preparedness – For a resilient community in times of climate change)” supports local authorities in communicating flood risks to and with citizens.
If you would like to download the brochure in PDF format, please use this link (only available in German).
If you would like to read the brochure as an interactive version, please use the desktop view.
Risk communication FOR local authorities
Brochure for local authorities
The brochure "Überflutungsrisiken kommunizieren, Eigenvorsorge stärken – Für eine resiliente Kommune in Zeiten des Klimawandels (Communicating flood risks, strengthening personal preparedness – For a resilient community in times of climate change)” supports municipal authorities in
communicating flood risks to and with citizens. If you would like to download the brochure in PDF format, please use this link.
(only available in German)
Topics and projects
Core fields of the HKC
The HKC effectively contributes to the development of practice-relevant knowledge by carrying out its own projects.
The extraordinary professional composition of the HKC enables an extensive conception and implementation of such projects.
The following pages provide information about our projects and the current state of implementation .
dates & EVENTS
Here you will find upcoming dates & events of the HKC and related events of interest
17. December 2025
IKT-StarkRegenCongress 2025
When heavy rainfall becomes the new normal, wastewater companies and local authorities face major challenges. The IKT Heavy Rain Congress 2025, which will take place online on 17 and 18 December 2025, will address the question of how findings can be turned into concrete strategies and effective measures.
15. January 2026
56th International Hydraulic Engineering Symposium Aachen (IWASA)
The Institut für Wasserbau und Wasserwirtschaft der RWTH Aachen University (Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University) invites you to the 56th Internationales Wasserbau-Symposium Aachen (IWASA). The event will take place on January 15 and 16, 2026, at the forum M of the Mayersche Buchhandlung Aachen (forum M event venue at Mayersche Bookstore Aachen) and online.
07. September 2026
TERRAenVISION 2026: International Conference on Nature-based Solutions
The international TERRAenVISION conference will take place at the University of Trier from 7 to 10 September 2026. The event brings together science, practice and politics to discuss nature-based solutions for agriculture, water and urban management, as well as climate and risk issues.
NEws At a glance
Here you will find news of the HKC and of related subjects of interest
Hesse expands early warning system against heavy rainfall
Following a successful pilot project in the district of Fulda, the German state of Hesse is introducing a digital early warning system for heavy rainfall and flooding in additional regions.
Summer break of the office from 7th August to 25th August 2025!
This year, the office will be taking a summer break from 7th to 25 August 2025.
HKC Newsletter Nr.3 2025
We’re excited to share the third edition of our 2025 newsletter with you!
Quarks: Heavy rain – when is your home at risk?
What does 50 liters of rain per hour actually mean for your home? The new Quarks video shows how you can use the HochwasserApp NRW app to assess your personal risk of heavy rain. Even five centimeters of water that does not drain away can be enough to penetrate basements and living spaces and cause expensive damage.