Flood warning: new website tells you when to put out the sandbags

The site waterinfo.be has been developed to bring together information provided by multiple organisations involved in water management. Putting it together was a complex challenge involving both public works minister Hilde Crevits (whose responsibility includes navigable waterways) and environment minister Joke Schauvliege (whose responsibilities include unnavigable waterways).

The information on water levels is gathered by a number of different organisations, with responsibilities ranging from canals to rivers and from drainage ditches to the coastline. The information used to be scattered around various websites, but now a single swipe will get you all the facts you need.

This will be particularly useful to people planning to build or buy a house in Flanders, as it provides detailed maps showing the risk of flooding as well as charts showing water levels in the past.

It will also come in handy for people who need to know about rising water levels in their area as this will be available for every part of Flanders. Once you have typed in your location (or let your smartphone do it for you), you will have instant access to official flood warnings and water levels in your immediate neighbourhood.

The site is also linked to Twitter so that you can receive instant messages on rainfall, tides, floods and drought. “This is an important tool in a joint policy to tackle floods,” the ministers said in a statement. “It is essential that we provide clear information to help the emergency services, water agencies and citizens to prepare for flooding.”