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)
‘Bonn supports’ campaign
The City of Bonn and the HKC have joined forces to inform citizens in the Bonn area about potential flood risks through a poster advertising campaign. The website www.bonn-unter.info was set up for this purpose.
The core of the ‘Bonn supports’ project is to show how flood and heavy rain damage can be prevented through personal precautions.
dates & EVENTS
Here you will find upcoming dates & events of the HKC and related events of interest
25. November 2026
FLOODMAN-Workshop
The bilateral german-south african hybrid workshop aiming to build climate resilience ater the 2026 Limpopo floods will take place on 25.-26. November 2026.
FLOODMAN brings together leading experts from Germany and South Africa to exchange practical solutions for flood risk management and climate adaption.
NEws At a glance
Here you will find news of the HKC and of related subjects of interest
North Rhine-Westphalia strengthens municipal climate adaptation against heat and heavy rainfall
North Rhine-Westphalia is further expanding its support for municipalities in dealing with climate risks. The new Climate Analysis NRW 2026 provides a significantly improved data basis for identifying local impacts caused by heat, heavy rainfall and other climate-related consequences, and for planning targeted precautionary measures on the ground.
Relaunch of the NRW Flood App
The flood app for homes has been expanded and improved. New features such as an interactive guide, a revised questionnaire, personalized tips, and a clearly structured FAQ help citizens assess their own homes more specifically for potential risks from heavy rainfall and flooding.
Flood Prevention Award 2026 Recognizes Municipal Commitment
Municipalities that are committed to improving flood preparedness through innovative measures can now apply for the Flood Prevention Award 2026. The award recognizes practical projects that help strengthen municipal resilience to flooding and heavy rainfall.
New academic volume on the 2021 flood disaster published – HKC represented with contributions from the KAHR project
With the open-access volume The 2021 Flood Disaster – From Reconstruction to Climate Resilience, a new academic publication has been released that brings together key findings from the BMBF-funded joint project KAHR. The book examines the flood events of July 2021, their impacts, and the lessons learned for reconstruction, climate adaptation, and flood risk management.