Abstract

Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands were hit by extreme precipitation and flooding in July 2021. This Brief Communication provides an overview of the impacts to large-scale critical infrastructure systems and how recovery has progressed during the first six months after the event. The results show that Germany and Belgium were particularly affected, with many infrastructure assets severely damaged or completely destroyed. Impacts range from completely destroyed bridges and sewage systems, to severely damaged schools and hospitals. We find that large-scale risk assessments, often focused on larger (river) flood events, do not find these local, but severe, impacts. This may be the result of limited availability of validation material. As such, this study will not only help to better understand how critical infrastructure can be affected by flooding, but can also be used as validation material for future flood risk assessments.

Highlights

  • In mid-July 2021, a persistent low-pressure system caused extreme precipitation in parts of the Belgian, German and Dutch 20 catchments of the Meuse and Rhine river

  • Belgium and The Netherlands were hit by extreme precipitation and flooding in July 2021

  • This Brief Communication provides an overview of the impacts to large-scale critical infrastructure systems and how recovery has progressed during the first six months after the event

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Summary

10 Abstract

Belgium and The Netherlands were hit by extreme precipitation and flooding in July 2021. This Brief Communication provides an overview of the impacts to large-scale critical infrastructure systems and how recovery has progressed during the first six months after the event. The results show that Germany and Belgium were affected, with many infrastructure assets severely damaged or completely destroyed. We find that large-scale risk assessments, often focused on 15 larger (river) flood events, do not find these local, but severe, impacts. This may be the result of limited availability of validation material. This study will help to better understand how critical infrastructure can be affected by flooding, but can be used as validation material for future flood risk assessments

Introduction
Transport Infrastructure
Electricity and gas supply
Solid waste
Telecommunication In
Healthcare and education In
Critical Infrastructure Impacts
Findings
190 References

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