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General recommendations rain

What to do in the event of heavy rainfall

  • Meteorologists can generally predict sustained heavy rainfall a few days in advance. During this period, you should keep abreast of the current weather developments, and it is always important to be aware of the potential hazards associated with heavy rainfall (flooding, landslides, etc.).

    Information on the potential effects and hazard categories of heavy rainfall can be found here.

    Advice on what to do in preparation for a heavy downpour or continuous heavy rain:

  • Keep an eye on local weather developments.

  • Pay attention to the push notifications on the MeteoSwiss-App.

  • If your home is at risk of flooding, move your possessions to a higher floor or safer location.

What to do during heavy rainfall

  • Heavy downpours cause streams and rivers to fill up very rapidly, and can quickly lead to flooding in cer-tain areas and cause landslides where there is steeply sloping terrain. You should always take care when outdoors in heavy rain, particularly when you are close to water or sloping terrain, but also when driving on the road.

    Advice on what to do during heavy rainfall:

  • Keep an eye on local weather developments.

  • Pay attention to the push notifications on the MeteoSwiss-App.

  • Stay away from water (including dry river beds) and steep slopes.

  • Keep out of cellars and basements when there is a present danger of flooding (see procedures for flooding).

  • Avoid steep watercourses in the mountains at all cost, as these are prone to mudslides. A mudslide can occur very suddenly and without warning, and can be a powerful destructive force.

  • Avoid flooded stretches of road, drive around rather than through large puddles in the road.

  • Always follow the official recommendations.

What to do after heavy rainfall

  • Even after the rain has abated or stopped, streams and rivers will still be very high. You should continue to take extra care until the flood risk has passed.

    Advice on what to do after a heavy downpour or continuous heavy rainfall:

  • Keep an eye on local weather developments.

  • Avoid steeply sloping terrain and stay away from lakes, rivers and streams.

  • Mudslides are still a possibility along steep watercourses in the mountains, and these areas should be avoided until the high water has abated.

  • Avoid flooded stretches of road, drive around rather than through large puddles in the road.

  • Always follow the official recommendations.