Lackner predicts that the trend of rising emergency responses will persist as climate change causes more extreme weather phenomena, posing ongoing challenges for disaster management.

The Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) reports a significant rise in both the frequency and severity of weather-related emergencies, driven by increasingly extreme weather events linked to climate change, especially heavy rainfall and flooding.

This trend of more frequent and severe weather emergencies is expected to continue as climate change accelerates, leading to ongoing challenges for the organization.

On the evening of August 16, 2025, parts of Germany experienced rain and thunderstorms, though no major damages were initially reported.

Germany has also faced extreme heat recently, with a temporary temperature peak of 37.1°C recorded near Würzburg in Kitzingen.

In early 2024, the THW was heavily involved in flood relief efforts across North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, and southern Germany, responding to increasing flood events.

The German Weather Service forecasts continued thunderstorms and heavy rain across regions including the Alps, Black Forest, Ostsachsen, and Ostbayern, with localized severe weather potentially bringing up to 20 liters per square meter of rain in short periods.

While the THW does not directly fight fires, it increasingly supports fire departments by transporting water over long distances, especially in areas with munitions or difficult access.

Sabine Lackner, the THW President, emphasizes that the organization is experiencing more intense missions during heavy rain and flooding, requiring larger-scale operations.