Emergency response plan in the event of extreme weather conditions

The emergency response plan (PIU) in the event of extreme weather conditions defines the package of preventive and protective measures and the alert procedures to be put in place in the event of a weather-related emergency.

Given the wide range of potential incidents and their varied impacts and repercussions, the extreme weather emergency response plan (PIU) provides those in charge of executing it with the tools they need to react appropriately and in a flexible manner to the events that occur and to provide the best possible protection for the citizens or sectors affected, their vital interests and the national economy.

Le plan d’intervention d’urgence (PIU) en cas d’intempéries définit le dispositif de prévention et de protection ainsi que les procédures d’alerte en cas de situation d’urgence météorologique.

Dans l'optique d’une multitude d'incidents possibles, ayant des impacts et des répercussions variés, le plan d’intervention d’urgence (PIU) Intempéries met à disposition des responsables en charge de son exécution les outils essentiels afin de pouvoir réagir de façon appropriée et flexible aux événements et de protéger au mieux les citoyens, voire les secteurs concernés, leurs intérêts vitaux et les intérêts économiques nationaux.

The aims of the Extreme Weather Plan are:

• to set the bodies that will manage the crisis;
• to set the preventive and protective measures to be taken
• and to establish the alert procedures for the authorities and for informing the public in the event of an emergency situation.

An emergency related to severe weather conditions is a situation that arises from an extreme weather event that risks causing major problems to the vital interests or basic needs of all or part of the country or the population of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The following weather conditions are provided for in the emergency response plan for a weather-related emergency:

• gusts of wind;
• snow or freezing precipitation;
• storms;
• great/extreme heat;
• great/extreme cold;
• rain.

The weather department of the Air Navigation Administration (ANA) monitors the weather continually. As a member of the European Meteoalarm network, MeteoLux is responsible for issuing and publicising weather alerts in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

There are four levels of vigilance which follow a shared colour code used by all the members of the European Meteoalarm network:

 green: no specific vigilance

 yellow: potential danger

 orange: danger

 red: extreme danger.

Only the forecasts and four vigilance levels supplied and published by MeteoLux are valid in connection with the 'Extreme Weather Plan'. The plan is triggered when MeteoLux issues vigilance levels 3, orange, or 4, red. Weather forecasts and any vigilance levels currently in force can be consulted at www.meteolux.lu.

Only the forecasts and alert levels supplied and published by MeteoLux are valid in connection with the 'Extreme Weather Plan'. Other sources and media may provide similar yet differing information. This can lead to confusion when evaluating the situation and should be avoided.               

Any bad weather warning published by MeteoLux and set out in this procedure constitutes the most likely forecast that this event would happen during the period of time in question.

Based on the proposals put forward by the Prime Minister, the government decides whether to implement the provisions and measures provided by the government plan.

The Minister of Home Affairs (Rescue Services Agency) and the Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure (the Air Navigation Administration and the Administration for Roads and Bridges) ensure that the necessary measures are properly executed throughout the country.

The 'Extreme Weather Emergency Response Plan' determines the following management bodies for weather-related emergencies:

• the Crisis Cell (CC);
• the Operational Cell;
• the Weather Risk Evaluation Cell (CERI);
• the Communication/Information Cell (CCI).

The Crisis Cell (CC) is activated by the Prime Minister and Minister of State in the event that a crisis is imminent or has occurred. It initiates, coordinates and monitors the execution of all the measures intended to deal with the crisis and its effects in order to return the situation to normal. It prepares the necessary decisions and submits them to the government for approval. In the event that operational intervention is required on the ground, the CC's mission extends to coordinating and monitoring its execution.

The Crisis Cell (CC) is activated by the Prime Minister and Minister of State in the event that a crisis is imminent or has occurred.

In a weather-related emergency, the Crisis Cell is made up of at least the following people:

• the High Commissioner for National Protection;
• the Director-General of the Grand Ducal Police;
• the Director of the Rescue Services Agency;
• the Director of the Office for crisis communication;
• the Director of the Air Navigation Administration;
• the Director of the Administration for Roads and Bridges;
• the Director of the Office for crisis communication.

The Crisis Cell (CC) operates throughout the duration of the crisis until the situation returns to normal: it initiates, coordinates and monitors the execution of all the measures intended to deal with the crisis and its effects in order to return the situation to normal.

The Crisis Cell (CC) can appoint an operational cell to execute, implement and monitor the ordered measures and activities on the ground.

In the context of a weather-related emergency, the situation/evaluation cell is called the Weather Risk Evaluation Cell (CERI). It is made up of experts from the Air Navigation Administration and the Rescue Services Agency.

The CERI's role in managing a crisis is to monitor the changing meteorological situation and inform the Crisis Cell (CC).

The Communication/Information Cell (CCI) is in charge of communication and providing information for the media and citizens. The horizontal coordination of organising external communication falls to the Office for crisis communication.

Each weather condition provided for in the emergency response plan is divided into two levels of vigilance, depending on the danger it poses:

• the orange vigilance level;
• and the red vigilance level.

The plan establishes a framework to alert the population depending on the danger posed by the weather event: orange or red vigilance.

On the Meteoalarm classification scale, the orange level means that dangerous weather events are forecast.

The plan establishes a framework to alert the population depending on the danger posed by the weather event: orange or red vigilance.

On the Meteoalarm classification scale, the red level means that exceptionally intense weather events are forecast and absolute vigilance is required.

www.meteoalarm.eu is the website that pools all the important information on dangerous weather conditions produced by the different official national weather services. This information is presented in a uniform manner to allow consistent interpretation throughout Europe.

MeteoLux is part of this European network.

The wider public will be informed of the changing situation by the government and via the websites www.infocrise.lu and www.meteolux.lu.

Specific information will be provided for people who are deaf or hard of hearing via the M-Plify system.

The wider public will be informed of the changing situation by the government and via the websites www.infocrise.lu and www.meteolux.lu.