Die Anschläge in New York und Washington am 11

Procedure after extreme weather 
Check your general area for damage such as water 
intrusion or glass breakage, etc. 
Only put electrical devices into operation if they have not 
come into contact with moisture. 
If someone is injured, administer first aid and call the 
emergency services. 

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If the building is damaged, leave it and do not re-enter it 
until it has been classified as safe by specialists. 
If the roof is damaged after a storm, keep away from the 
area in which it might collapse. This area corresponds to 
one third of the height from the floor to the gutter. Notify 
the fire brigade. 
Flooding 
In recent years, flooding has become an increasing threat to 
the basic necessities of life for parts of the population. In 
addition to the efforts undertaken by the Federation, the 
Länder and local government authorities to limit the 
consequences of such incidents, individuals should also 
examine how they can prevent or reduce resultant damage 
by means of specific preparations and measures. The 
following tips and information may be of assistance here. As 
an initial step, you should ascertain the critical high-water 
mark from your local authority.
Please consider that the normal supply of electric power, 
food and drinking water may be impaired or interrupted at 
times of flooding. This state of affairs may continue for a 
while after the immediate effects of flooding have passed, 
owing to damage to the infrastructure. 
Particular hazards apply during flooding as a result of the 
massive erosive impact of water on roads, bridges, dams etc. 
and from flotsam. Leaking harmful substances such as fuel 
oil, detergents and pesticides, faeces and refuse which are 
carried off in the floods pose a health risk. Drinking water 
may be contaminated. 
The following preparatory measures are recommendable: 
Keep boarding, waterproof plywood panels and silicon to 
hand to seal off rooms which are at risk, as well as 
sandbags. 
Transfer hazardous substances or chemicals to another 
location in good time. 

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Remove valuable furniture or equipment from rooms 
which are at risk. 
Use waterproof building materials and carry out sealing 
work in rooms which are at risk. 
Secure fuel tanks to prevent them from floating free and 
being carried away by flood water (vertical rear 
anchorage/use of ballast, e.g. earth coverage in case of 
impending danger). If possible, use tanks which are 
suitable for applications involving water pressure from 
outside. Prepare facilities for shutting off piping.