The Flemish Environmental Agency (VMM) adopted a 4-step strategy against floods. Firstly, it tries to prevent flooding at the source, to the extent possible. This is implemented by all kinds of small-scale measures in order to allow the water to infiltrate the soil as much as possible and not to drain it through the sewer system. An additional tool such as the watertoets also contributes preventively to reducing damage during floods.
Secondly, the majority of the water is retained in the valley through the creation of, for example, controlled storage areas. In short, we give space back to the river.
The third step is the construction of new infrastructure. In specific cases it is necessary to create additional safety measures by building flood control basins, ring-dikes or pumping stations.
The last step in our approach involves the forecasting and warning of impending flooding.
Despite all efforts to prevent damage in the valleys, it is impossible for us to prevent or predict all floods. For, sooner or later extreme rainfall will again result in all flood control basins and valleys reaching their maximum capacity. In order to minimise the damage, it is important that citizens, water managers and first-aid and emergency services are informed in a timely manner and accurately about any impending flooding.
It used to be the citizens who woke up with wet feet and alerted the emergency services. There were numerous cases in which the damage had already been inflicted by then. When the rain persistented, emergency services asked information from the water managers about, for example, the current status of the flood control basins or the expected status of the waterways. With the flood forecasting system on “overstromingsvoorspeller.be”, the Flemish Environmental Agency (VMM) can now provide the emergency services with up-to-date information about the current and predicted status of unnavigable waterways in Flanders, even before problems occur.