Flooding is the temporary inundation of land not normally covered by water. This can be caused by surface water or by seawater entering coastal areas.
In principle, flood protection is the responsibility of every private individual and the municipalities, which are responsible for local community affairs, urban land-use planning and hazard prevention.
River basin-related, conceptual plans for the presentation of hazards, risks and flood protection measures as the basis of functional services of general interest are carried out by the state. In addition, the state supports the municipalities and water and soil associations in their projects by providing existing planning data and advice.