Germany’s municipalities between ready and unprepared for extreme weather risks – media

Local preparedness for cascading hazards, such as a power cut following a flood, varies considerably across Germany, according to a survey by investigative outlet Correctiv of 401 districts and independent cities. The outlet found that many local authorities do not know how to guarantee emergency supplies or have not implemented contingency plans when hazards follow one another. Around two-thirds (266) of the local authorities surveyed provided comprehensive answers. 

Germany, like the rest of the world, is set to experience more frequent and more severe extreme weather events as a result of global warming. These include heatwaves, storms, droughts and floods – in some cases in close succession. In Germany, disaster response is a task for local authorities, which must coordinate emergency services, warning systems, and ensure the public has access to water. Local action plans, drawn up ahead of time, determine how well the population is protected. 

Almost all respondents said they expect more frequent extreme weather and rising damage by 2050, with over 70 percent anticipating a higher risk from heatwaves, heavy rain and storms. About three in four respondents said they have a crisis plan, but only about half of these said they have already put it into practice, Correctiv reported. 

Local authorities cited a lack of funds and staff for proper preparation. Four out of five said they will only partially or inadequately be able to fund necessary protection measures, while almost 40 percent fear they will lack enough volunteer emergency personnel. Over 80 percent say they have warning systems in place, however, residents often do not know how to respond to these, Correctiv added.

When it comes to guaranteeing water supply specifically, which is threatened by floods, drought and power cuts, most municipalities lacked information. Only around 15 percent could specify emergency water facilities such as emergency wells, tankers or mobile units, and fewer than 10 percent said how many people these could supply or for how long. “The research shows that how well people are protected also depends on chance – on where they live,” the outlet wrote. 

Germany has experienced the effects of climate change in the form of worsening heatwaves, severe droughts and fatal flooding. The country has a national climate adaptation strategy and has set measurable targets to increase resilience against the worst consequences of climate change. However, Germany is not sufficiently prepared to protect its citizens in the event of widespread power outages or large-scale natural disasters, the German Districts Association said in the summer of 2025.