What are the dangers related to storms?
A storm is defined as a violent disturbance in the atmosphere that involves severe weather conditions, such as strong winds, heavy rainfall, lightning, thunder, hail or snow. It is typically characterised by rapidly changing atmospheric pressure, temperature, and moisture levels, leading to turbulent conditions.
Storms range in severity from showers with strong winds to intense, dangerous events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or blizzards, often resulting from interactions between different air masses or extreme variations in temperature and moisture.
In short, it is an extreme weather event that disrupts normal weather patterns and poses potential hazards to life and property.
Climate Adaptation Actions & Resources
Action 1: Understand your risk
Start by understanding your flood risks with data maps and tools.
Allows you to quickly assess the risk of water scarcity within your area by simply typing the name of your location.
European severe weather database
Provides greater information on storms in your area to better understand their severity and potential impacts.
European centre for medium-range weather forecasts (ECMWF)
Weather forecast tool that helps identify potential weather extremes and prepare you and your community to react to them.
Provides free mapping services depicting the location of natural hazards, including storms. Satellite imagery and other geospatial data build detailed maps to assess the extent and impact of disasters. These maps are invaluable for understanding storm impacts and planning response strategies.
Action 2: Explore what others are doing
Explore how other regions or local communities are responding to the challenge.
 Completed climate-adapted bus stop at Parliament Wiener Linien | Climate adapted transport facilities Vienna is testing green bus stop roofs that absorb rainwater, reducing runoff during storms while improving urban resilience. |
 Summary of the final results of the Resilience Index for the mussel aquaculture in Galicia (Spain) REDE research group, University of Vigo | Resilience index for assessing aquacultures The Resilience Index equips decision-makers with a tool to assess the adaptive capacity of the aquaculture sector, enabling informed governance decisions and the formulation of new targeted policies across sectors. |
 Bogatell channel discharge in Barcelona. Sampling point location Google Maps | Securing bathing water after storms Barcelona, Spain is using real-time data to predict, monitor and manage the risks of overflowing sewage systems after extreme rain in combination with storms and their impact on water quality and public health. |
 VAIA sound cube made of damaged wood Giulia Lenzi | Combining a business idea with climate adaptation The Dolomites, Italy, is using a sustainable and replicable forestry-related business model enhances community engagement and climate resilience after Storm Vaia. |
Find more detailed information by selecting one of the over 30 “climate risks – Storms” case studies, such as the ones from Germany and Finland, here.
Action 3: Implement concrete actions
Start planning concrete actions to address your city´s unique challenges.
The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change documents actions for reducing the impact of storms, each of them describing costs and benefits, legal aspects for implementation and referring to implemented case studies. Some of the actions which can be implemented at the urban or municipal level are:
 Early warning systems for climate change adaptation Claudia Ombrelli - Thetis SpA | Establishing early warning systems Establishment of early warning systems for extreme weather events. |
 Port of Rotterdam with the recommended adaptation approaches HASKONINGDHV NETHERLANDS B.V. | Operations against storms: Off-shore, for example fishing and naval navigation, and inshore, for example operation of ports. |
 Strategies to make roads more resilient to climate change. Claudia Ombrelli, Thetis SpA | Setting standards for road design Definition and implementation of climate-proofing standards for road design, construction and maintenance to ensure transport infrastructure better withstands storms and other extreme weather events. |
Action 4: Assess planned actions
Assess the effectiveness of your planned actions.
The REGILIENCE self-assessment tool can help avoid negative effects of adaptation actions which increase vulnerability, diminish well-being or undermine sustainable development. It’s available in 10 languages!
Action 5: Find funding opportunities
Find the right funding sources for your needs
Access information on funding sources from EU institutions, agencies, and Member States in the Mission Portal´s funding database to support your flood adaptation strategies.
Action 6: Download the Quick Guide for Storms
Storms are typically characterised by rapidly changing atmospheric pressure, temperature, and moisture levels, leading to turbulent conditions. Storms range in severity from showers with strong winds to intense, dangerous events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or blizzards, often resulting from the interaction of different air masses or extreme variations in temperature and moisture. Download this quick guide for concrete solutions on the ground to tackle the impact of storms.
Major storms in recent years
January 2022
In Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, Storm Malik caused EUR 382 million in damage and seven fatalities.
February 2022
In Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom, Storm Eunice caused EUR 1.83 billion in damage and 17 fatalities.
October 2023
In Belgium, the Channel Islands, Czechia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Storm Ciarán led to EUR 2.1 billion in damages and 21 fatalities.