90% of disasters are related to water. River floods are hitting the EU harder than ever, affecting millions, cutting lives short and damaging our economies. They are also dangerous for human health and for nature! The frequency and intensity of floods will continue to increase with climate change. Floods are a serious risk to our homes, cities and infrastructure. For example, one in nine hospitals in Europe is located in an area potentially prone to flooding.
Having too much water or not enough water are symptoms of a broken water cycle. Read more about our water cycle
We have to implement the solutions to become a #WaterWiseEU.
The true cost of flooding in Europe
What are the solutions?
Predicting and preparing for floods, rather than just reacting to them can reduce their likelihood and limit their impact. Different places in Europe face different challenges, so solutions need to be local and tailored, and everyone needs to be involved – citizens, governments, communities, organisations, and businesses.
What’s the solution?
Climate adaptation includes measures such as
- building flood-barriers
- creating early-warning systems for storms
- preparing for new health risks
- making sure our buildings and infrastructure can withstand extreme weather
- planning for uncertainty and risk
Managing water sustainably and working with nature will help protect our communities, homes, and cities from floods.
What's the solution?
Some examples of these nature-based solutions include
- restoring natural floodplains
- rewetting wetlands
- restoring soils
- protecting groundwater recharge zones
- removing artificial barriers from water
- bringing nature back into cities
Agriculture is hugely affected by heatwaves, droughts and floods caused by climate change. At the same time, unpredictable rainfall and flash foods lead to lower yields. We must adapt what and how we are farming to ensure our food supply.
What’s the solution?
To protect our farmers and food systems from the effects of floods, the EU is supporting famers to
- plant flood-resistant crops, where possible
- use farming practices that help keep soils healthy increase vegetation cover
- restore areas of biodiversity on arable land
Did you know?
Cities can become flood-proof by planning, cooperating, and working with nature. This involves restoring wetlands to soak up rainwater, creating buffer zones along water bodies to block floods, building green roofs and walls to absorb rain, planting urban forests and parks to catch and soak in rainwater, and using permeable pavements to let water through.
These natural solutions help manage heavy rains and reduce flooding.
EU law on reducing and managing flood risks.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism anticipates and prepares for disasters so people on the ground can respond quickly.
Discover the EU’s comprehensive laws on water, to protect water resources, fresh and saltwater ecosystems, and ensure our drinking and bathing water are clean.
The EU encourages smarter and faster adaptation in agriculture, for example with eco-schemes for farmers.
Actions on the ground
Under EU law, all EU countries are required to
- assess all areas where significant floods could take place
- map the flood extent and assets and humans at risk in these areas
- take adequate and coordinated measures to reduce this flood risk
Check out the flood risk areas viewer. It shows the areas in the EU which, according to national authorities, carry a potentially significant flood risk.
Many national and local authorities, and EU-funded and local projects are taking action to address floods. How is your city and region planning for floods?
Share your solutions for flood resilience!
The LIFE Dutch Dune Revival project has restored 190 hectares of dunes - a natural defence against the risk of coastal flooding - with the support of EU funding.
In Spain, a LIFE project is slowing the flow of the river Ebro to protect the 62 towns bordering its waters.
From Milan to Rotterdam, Navarra and beyond, check out more EU-funded projects that protect people and nature from flooding.