Government crisis management plan in the event of extreme weather and flooding

The government plan is applied when a meteorological or hydrological event threatens to become a national crisis.

This may occur if it causes serious disruptions that threaten the vital interests or essential needs of part or all of the country and its population.

This type of situation requires quick decision-making and close coordination between the Government, ministries, public services and, if necessary, international partners.

The plan provides the responsible authorities with the necessary tools to react in a flexible and efficient manner in order to protect citizens, the sectors that are affected and the country’s vital and economic interests.

The management of meteorological or hydrological phenomena is an integral part of this scheme.

• Identifying the structures responsible for crisis management;
• Specifying how authorities will warn the population and issue alerts;
• Defining the emergency measures to be taken, the actions to be carried out, and the stakeholders and responsible authorities involved.

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:

• Wind
• Rain
• Snow or freezing rain
• Storms
• Flash floods
• Heat
• Cold
• Flooding

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.

The plan determines the following management bodies :

• the Crisis Cell (CC);
• the Weather-Flood Risk Assessment Unit  (CERI);
• Joint Operational Command Post (Poste de commandement opérationnel commun, PCO-C)
• Advanced Command Post(s) (Poste(s) de commandement avancé(s), PCA)
• 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) 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.

The assessment unit is convened by the HCPN as soon as an ORANGE, RED or VIOLET awareness level is announced or triggered.

Its role is to:

• monitor the evolution of the meteorological and hydrological situation;
• analyse the possible impacts of weather phenomena on the environment, the population and the territory;
• anticipate, coordinate and prepare crisis communication.

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.

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.

Ongoing alerts are communicated via the www.lu-alert.lu website, the “LU-Alert” mobile app and, if necessary, via geo-localised SMS and Cell Broadcast messages.

Updates on the meteorological situation are provided on the www.meteolux.lu website and the “MeteoLux” mobile app.

Flood information is available on the www.inondations.lu website and the “Meine Pegel” mobile app. Flood bulletins can also be published under the “Alerts” section of the www.inondations.lu website. Current water levels for the entire country, as well as forecasts of up to 24 hours for certain stations, can be consulted at any time.

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.