We cannot prevent floods, but we can mitigate their consequences by acting in an appropriate and fast manner. Experience and analyses after large floods show that the most efficient and the only measure to protect from floodresulting damage is an efficient and preventive system. Each flood requires a lot of time and expenses to salvage material. Fast and efficient reactions are required and sufficient space and people must be available when the material is dried and reorganized. We must still be aware that, despite all the effort and promptness, each flood will permanently damage destroy a part of material. The awareness about catastrophic consequences of floods must be constantly present in order to assure efficient prevention.