Impacts of Heavy and Persistent Precipitation on Railroad Infrastructure in July 2021: A Case Study from the Ahr Valley, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

In contrast to river floods, the enormous erosion potential in catchments contributes significantly extent of damage infrastructure valleys. This paper investigates impact heavy precipitation event 14–15 July 2021 on railroad Ahr valley Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. a first step, detailed overview climatological and hydrological drivers using spatially high-resolved distribution peak discharge modeling is provided, placed broader context by comparing it past flash flood events from 1910 2016. second mapping damages along line performed aerial photographs. The revealed that bridges are weakest point during they contribute an increase modification wave through backwater effects. Since expected future, there urgent need resilience transportation this hazard answer question what magnitudes return periods should be used future sizing rail infrastructure.