Why is flooding becoming increasingly common? Climate change, rapid urbanisation and deforestation are increasing the frequency and intensity of floods. Heavy rain can cause considerable damage even far from streams and rivers.

The dramatic flooding that makes the headlines of the newspapers isn’t the only kind of risk to consider. If your plot of land is on a slope or unstable ground, landslides can cause serious damage. With a garage below ground, your basement could flood quickly in the event of heavy rain. Finally, sewage back-up, particularly if several homes share the same pipes, can cause soiled water to enter your home.

There are many consequences of flooding:  direct damage such as the destruction of personal goods and deterioration of the structures of the house. But there can also be indirect impacts, such as the depreciation of your property’s value and considerable emotional stress for the occupants.

Prevention is essential to limit the damage caused by flooding. Although the municipalities and the State have taken numerous measures to avoid flooding and the heavy rain in years to come, each and every citizen should be aware of the measures within their reach to protect their assets.

Here are the different areas in which you can take action upstream:

If you are thinking about building a new house, choose the right site. If possible, avoid areas liable to flooding which can be identified on specialised maps such as those available at the Géoportail. Another effective strategy for minimising risk is to build upwards.

If you already live in a risk area, a range of measures may be taken to give your home enhanced protection. It could be useful to install watertight windows and flood barriers in front of your doors and garages. What’s more, using waterproof materials for interior renovations as well as raising critical installations like heating systems, can help to limit potential damage.

Luxembourg offers grants to help finance flood protection measures. These grants cover up to 75% of the costs for certain upgrades in line with the following limits:

• 20 000 € for single family homes
• 45 000 € for apartment buildings
• 75 000 € for commercial, cultural or public buildings.

These grants are available to owners, municipalities, companies and home-owners associations, provided a risk of flooding has been detected. The application must be sent to the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity along with proof of the risk of flooding and a description of the measures planned to be taken as well as a quote for the works.

Other than structural measures, you are advised to do personal preparation. Getting a stock of sandbags to create temporary barriers, investing in a water pump and preparing an emergency kit containing essential items such as Wellington boots, medication, power banks for your mobile phone and pocket torches, are simple yet effective actions. You should also think about protecting your important documents by storing them in a safe place or keeping them also in digital form.

Weather and flooding alerts are generally notified on government websites and in the media. That’s why it’s important to check trustworthy weather forecast sites such as inondations.lu or meteoalarm.org.

In the event of an imminent risk, the Luxembourg Government has set up a SMS alert system called “LU-ALERT”. Handled by the mobile phone operators, this service sends alerts to everyone present on Luxembourg territory, enabling you to take the necessary measures in good time.

By taking suitable measures to protect your land and building, you can minimise these dangers. However, no form of protection is absolute. That’s why it is recommended you take out flood insurance to cover the cost of repairs and avoid major financial worries. A small investment today can save you a real headache tomorrow.

easyPROTECT Home’s climate hazards package covers insured damage due to flooding and contributes to optimum financial protection:

• Sewage back-up or overflowing
• Run-off or accumulation of rainwater
• Overflowing streams and rivers
• Flooding
• Moving masses of snow or ice
• Landslides, collapsing and subsiding land

Unfortunately, it will not be spared. Vehicles can also be affected by such events. easyPROTECT Auto’s forces of nature insurance covers your car if it is damaged by flooding, torrential rain, public sewer back-up, run-off, etc. This cover is included in the Security formula.

• Always follow the instructions given by the authorities
• Stay informed by following the flood reports on www.inondations.lu and the severe weather warnings on www.meteolux.lu, on the radio or on television
• Switch off your gas, water and electricity...
• Store your valued possessions up high
• If possible, do not leave your home and do not drive your car
• Help your neighbours, but avoid getting into a dangerous situation
• Call 112 only in the event of an emergency!

• Evacuate dangerous areas and make sure that you, your family and any pets are safe
• Document the damage before you start the clean up
• Do not switch the electricity and gas back on until everything has been checked by a specialist
• Protect yourself while you clean: boots, gloves, protective goggles...
• Disinfect your home to avoid the spread of germs
• Contact the fire brigade to pump out the water after the flood

If your home has been affected by a flood, you must act quickly. Here are the key stages for a quick and appropriate compensation:

• Document the damage: Take photos and videos and make a detailed list of the damage suffered before you start the clean-up work. Mark the level that the water reached.
• Inform your insurance agent as soon as possible to declare the claim and provide all the evidence gathered.

Flooding is a serious threat, but by taking preventative measures and taking out appropriate insurance, you can protect your home and family from the financial consequences. Don’t let the changing and volatile climate put your personal safety and your assets in danger. If you have any questions or would like to get personalised assistance, don’t hesitate to call your LALUX agent who will be delighted to guide you through the steps to take.