FLOOD COMPETENCE CENTER
The network for holistic flood prevention and flood risk management
The Flood Competence Center (HKC) is a non-profit association from Germany that connects flood-affected citizens and stakeholders in flood risk management to build a unique network. The HKC was founded in 2007 and consists of almost 200 members and cooperations. The members of the HKC are composed of national and international institutions and municipalities, citizens and policy-makers, science and economy.
The HKC brings together science and practice for the purpose of holistic flood risk management, promoting sustainable development and the provision and transfer of expertise.
Use the knowledge of our network for your projects. We are glad to support you. Week look forward to welcoming you.
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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
13. November 2025
Next Floodlabel Expert Training in November 2025 !
The next FLOODLABEL expert training will take place on November 13 and 14, 2025!
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.
NEws At a glance
Here you will find news of the HKC and of related subjects of interest
New HKC brochure ‘How to protect myself and my home’
We are delighted to present the new brochure ‘How to protect myself and my home’ with our network. It shows how homeowners can avoid damage from heavy rain and flooding with simple structural measures, correct behaviour and good preparation.
The HKC on the WRD5 Quarks podcast
In July, WDR accompanied our project week on the flood nature trail in Kornelimünster. On a walk through the village, the pupils reported on their experiences and explained the aims of the nature trail: to teach children and families more about flooding, heavy rainfall and preventive measures in a playful way.
NRW Cleans Up After Heavy Rain – Damage Reported in Several Cities
Cleanup efforts have begun in western North Rhine-Westphalia following extreme rainfall. The hardest-hit areas were Bedburg in the Rhein-Erft district, Mönchengladbach, and Willich in the Viersen district, where entire streets were flooded. In Bedburg, 148 liters of rain per square meter fell within just six hours – more than twice the average amount for an entire month.
Workshop on flood risk communication
The Rhine Flood Emergency Community (HWNG Rhein) is hosting a workshop in Cologne in collaboration with the Information and Advice Centre for Flood Prevention (IBH), Cologne Municipal Drainage Services (StEB), the German Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction (DKKV) and the Flood Competence Centre (HKC).