Residents in Vejen Municipality attend flood management meeting after severe rainfall in Jels

Last winter, Dorte and Jørgen Skaarup found 13 centimeters of water in their basement. The couple was quick to accept an invitation from their local municipality for a meeting two weeks ago that focused on self-protective measures against flooding. Dorte Skaarup noted that the municipality addressed their concerns and provided valuable information on what could and could not be done.

The Skaarups reside in Jels, in Vejen Municipality, which has been proactive in educating residents about flood management in the face of increasingly severe weather patterns. According to meteorological data, Vejen Municipality has recorded the highest rainfall in the country this year, totaling 1,088 millimeters. Just earlier this month, the Skaarups prepared sandbags again as another heavy rain warning was issued.

Dorte recalls their motivation to attend the meeting: “What can we do as citizens to prevent flooding on our property next time?” The meeting turned out to be informative, helping them understand the sources of the flooding they experienced in February.

The municipality has also sent two staff members to the Skaarups’ property to assess conditions and discuss potential improvements. “We felt heard as regular citizens,” Dorte added.

However, Kirsten Kofod, the municipality’s environmental employee, expressed disappointment at the low turnout for the initial flooding meeting. She aims to draw more attendees to future sessions, scheduled for November, to ensure homeowners are prepared for upcoming storms.

Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to create a rescue plan, obtain a pump, seal all entry points to prevent water ingress, and stockpile sandbags provided by the municipality. Dorte encourages other homeowners to attend informational sessions, emphasizing the shared responsibility for flood management between residents and the municipality.