Too much water

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

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  Floods have cost over EUR 170 billion since 1980
• 
  Around 12% of Europe’s population live in areas potentially prone to river flooding
• 
  5,582 people have died due to floods between 1980 and 2022

What are the solutions?

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  Adapting to a changing climate

  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 
• 
  Working with nature

  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
• 
  Rethinking agriculture

  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?

We can design our cities to be flood resilient.

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.

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!