Metrological Conditions - Flooding anticipated in the Rhine and Neckar regions.
The Flood Forecasting Center in Hessen anticipates significant flooding in the Hessian parts of the Rhine and Neckar rivers. The State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment, and Geology (HLNUG) announced on Friday that there could be floods that only occur once every 20 years. By Sunday morning, the hessian warning level 1 is projected to be surpassed at the Worms gauge on the Rhine. For the Neckar, a massive flood with urban areas being submerged may happen at the start of the following week, which corresponds to the hessian warning level 3. A similar situation is anticipated at the Mainz gauge, where the hessian warning level 1 is expected to be exceeded on Sunday.
The HLNUG predicts flooding on the Neckar as well. The gauge in Rockenau will reach the hessian warning level 1 during the night from Saturday to Sunday, followed by a significant exceedance of the hessian warning level 3 on Saturday. Additionally, a 20-year-flood is predicted to occur over the weekend. In Hesse's interior regions, the HLNUG only expects occasional surpassing of the warning levels.
Soils in many areas have already absorbed their limit of water, making it impossible for them to accommodate any more, according to the HLNUG. Moreover, the German Weather Service (DWD) foresees continuous rain and potentially extreme amounts of rainfall in eastern and southern Hesse over the weekend. This rainfall is expected to start at night from Saturday to Sunday. Areas between the Odenwald, Spessart, and Rhön are most likely impacted, with up to 40 Liters of rain per square meter possible. In certain regions, rainfall of up to 45 Liters per square meter is predicted.
Localized heavy rain might induce flooding and floodings, as stated by the HLNUG. Unfortunately, no forecasts can be made for this, thus the authority advises heeding the severe weather warnings of the DWD.
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The anticipated flooding in Hesse is expected to affect the Worms gauge on the Rhine, surpassing the warning level 1 by Sunday morning. The Neckar, specifically urban areas, may experience a massive flood equivalent to hessian warning level 3 at the start of the next week. The HLNUG also predicts a 20-year flood on the Neckar to occur over the weekend. The DWD forecasts continuous rain and potentially heavy amounts in eastern and southern Hesse, which could lead to localized flooding. Despite this, specific predictions for heavy rain-induced flooding cannot be made.
In Wiesbaden, a city in Hesse, people should closely monitor the flood situation and heed severe weather warnings issued by the DWD. Residents of Offenbach, another Hessian city, should also pay attention to the weather, as the Rhine and Neckar regions are under heavy meteorological conditions. The environment in these areas will likely be heavily impacted by the predicted flooding and excessive rainfall.
