If you live in an area prone to flooding or heavy rain, it is important to take preventive measures and adjust your behavior accordingly.

The government and local authorities are implementing protective measures to mitigate the effects of these events. But individuals must also take action to minimize the damage.

General tips for protecting against heavy rain and flooding

Everyone can help prevent flooding. For example, residents should not dispose of yard waste or soil near waterways. Even materials stored outside a stream’s normal channel can be washed away during a flood.

Often, there is no advance warning, as extreme weather events can develop locally and rapidly. A Meteolux alert may therefore sometimes come too late. It is helpful to know the critical flood level for your area (information available from your local municipality), as well as the expected groundwater levels.

In the event of a flood, the supply of electricity, drinking water, and food may be disrupted or cut off, even after the immediate end of the event. That is why protecting your home or apartment is essential.

⚠️ Staying outdoors during a thunderstorm is life-threatening. Therefore, safety precautions must be taken before the storm hits. Extreme rainfall occurs mainly in the summer, so it is recommended that you monitor weather forecasts and take preventive measures as soon as a risk arises.

Protection against sewage backflow

Every time it rains, the water level in the sewer lines rises, which is normal.
Sometimes, the water level rises high enough to reach private connections, causing sewage to back up into the house—for example, through drains or toilets—often in the basement.

A backflow preventer can prevent this. It is important that all drains are properly connected and that check valves are maintained regularly. The installation of these devices is often required by local sanitation regulations.

Sewage backup is the most common cause of damage during heavy rains and is entirely the property owner’s responsibility.

In addition, prolonged heavy rains can cause the groundwater level to rise, and water can seep into the building even if the underground pipes are not completely watertight.

Structural protective measures

Although buildings located in flood-prone areas or low-lying areas are most at risk, any building can be affected by heavy rain, even those on higher ground.

It is therefore advisable to implement structural measures in high-risk areas, for example:

  • Adapt the use of floors and building sections exposed to water
  • Use flood-resistant materials
  • Plan or modify utility systems (heating, electricity, water) while taking flood risks into account

All measures must be adapted to local conditions. Here are a few practical examples:

  • Install thresholds at entrances
  • Install recessed skylights in the basement
  • Install watertight basement windows with pressure-sealed closures
  • Provide pressure-tight entrance doors
  • Secure access to underground parking garages with a threshold

These measures may sometimes conflict with accessibility, aesthetics, or the use of the basement, and must be evaluated by the property owner.