Provisional assessment by the Joint Operational Command Post (PCO-C) – exceptional rainfall and flooding

In accordance with the new Governmental Plan for Severe Weather and Flooding, the Joint Operational Command Centre (PCO-C) met at the National Crisis Centre in Senningen from 11.30 p.m. on Monday evening. The interministerial operational unit brought together representatives from the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS), the National Roads Administration, MeteoLux, the Water Management Agency (AGE), the Grand Ducal Police and the High Commission for National Protection (HCPN).

The main tasks of the PCO-C are to analyse, in collaboration with experts from the assessment unit (CERI), the meteorological and hydrological situation, its impact, the consequences and possible scenarios for how it might develop, to centralise information on the human and material impacts and operational needs, and to coordinate inter-service interventions.

During the night from Monday to Tuesday, exceptional amounts of rain were measured by MeteoLux and the AGE, with peaks exceeding 100 l/m²in Livange and Mersch, and 90 l/m²in Walferdange (until 4 a.m.).

Update on interventions and incidents

At 5 a.m., the PCO-C issued its initial assessment as follows:

• CGDIS:
  • 298 interventions
  • Over 800 calls to 112
  • 21 municipalities affected (Luxembourg City, Bettembourg, Hesperange, Frisange, Roeser, Mondorf, Walferdange, Junglinster, Kopstal, Steinsel, Contern, Nommern, Mersch, Fischbach, Bettendorf, Diekirch, Parc Hosingen, Niederanven, Sandweiler, Garnich, Bertrange)
  • 7 people brought to safety in 3 different cars (no injuries)
  • 16 emergency response centres (CIS) and 3 specialised intervention groups (GIS) deployed
  • Operations management centre (CGO) activated
  • 200 firefighters deployed in the field
• Police Lëtzebuerg:
  • 30 interventions
  • 70 calls to 113
• National Roads Administration:
  • 50 calls (flooding and fallen trees)

List of roads closed or restricted due to fallen trees or flooding

Forecast until Tuesday noon

From 5 a.m. onwards, the intensity of the rainfall is expected to gradually decrease. According to the weather forecast, the rain will move towards Germany and the weather will become drier around 10 a.m.

In the measurement network covered by the AGE, only the red alert thresholds in Pfaffenthal and Steinsel have been exceeded so far. However, it is possible that the red alert threshold will also be exceeded at the Mersch measuring station. Despite the heavy rainfall, widespread flooding has been avoided thanks to effective absorption by the soil and vegetation. More information on weather and hydrological developments will follow in the respective bulletins.

The authorities will closely monitor the situation and communicate as necessary.

Press releasy by the PCO-C