On the occasion of the 70th birthday of the German Weather Service (DWD), Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing warned that warnings from meteorologists about dangers should be taken seriously. The DWD provides fact-based insights that are calculated from a large amount of data, said the FDP politician at the ceremony for the DWD anniversary on Monday in Offenbach. Wissing recalled the flood disaster in the Ahr valley, before which the DWD had issued heavy rain warnings. The DWD is the responsibility of Wissing's ministry.

As a consequence of the flood disaster, there should be a new Internet portal to warn of natural hazards, as DWD President Gerhard Adrian said. The Internet portal is intended to provide citizens with central information from other authorities, for example on the subject of flooding. Talks are currently being held with the responsible state authorities for flood hazards, said Adrian.