Assessment – In these communities of Haute-Loire, the bill is increasing day by day after the floods

The Cévennes event that affected Haute-Loire on Thursday 18 October caused significant damage to the banks of the Loire and Lignon with devastating floods. When the water receded the next day, residents could only see the extent of the damage. Throughout the week, the general secretary of the prefecture, Nathalie Cencic, travels to several affected towns to take stock of elected officials.

Coubon

The Loire came out of her bed at Coubon and did not take it out. From the old Darne factory to the Charentus mill, the banks were not spared from the sudden rise in water levels. Under the bridge that crosses the river, the park’s gabion retaining wall was completely destroyed by the force of the current alone. Hundreds of thousands of euros will be needed to rebuild.

The bridge was also hit. “Several witnesses explain when they saw a tree and rocks breaking on the piers of the bridge,” said Mayor Christelle Valantin. In fact, a crack has appeared on the wall that supports the deck on the side of the town. “We are not 100% sure that this is due to the flood, but at least recently. » But the elected official wants to be confident, there is no danger hard there, “there are no cracks in the road”.The Charentus motorhome reception area in Coubon is a mud area today. NM

The path to the lake, between the town and Charentus mill, was also changed due to the floods. Partially paved up to the campsite, the trail needs to be repaired. The cover was soaked with water in several places. In the area, gas pipes, the electricity network and sanitation were severely damaged in a few hours.

In Haute-Loire, the most important floods recorded since 2008

As we explained in our issue on Saturday 18 Octoberthe town of Charentus was destroyed by the flood. The bed of the Loire has doubled in size, creating, in the process, a rock about ten meters high. The fort of Charentus, which until then was an attraction for pedestrians, is about twenty meters from the edge today. A new camper van reception and picnic area has been reduced to a mud pool.Near the Darne factory in Coubon, the riverbed is no longer the same. NM

A few meters away, the Loire was “cutting the corner” and breaking the banks dangerously, coming too close to a house. Its owners will soon be evicted. An amicable settlement should be found. The question of access to other houses will arise in the months and years to come with a river that eats away more and more land… “The damage is great. We made the first estimate hot, but since then it has gone up every day,” laments Christelle Valentin.

Lavoûte-sur-Loire

After a “very quick” flood, in the words of Mayor Jean-Pierre Beaumel, it’s time to assess the damage. And there are many of them. Located next to the town hall square, the psychology office of Fredérique Chambaud has experienced this. The latter was covered by more than 1.8 m of water. Upstairs, the shelters were saved, but it was a close call. “We were lucky because the water stopped just below the electricity meter. We only have substantial damage,” says Florence Bonhoux, who owned the gites, in perspective.In Lavoûte-sur-Loire, the scars from rising water levels are still very present. GC

Floods in Haute-Loire: these amazing images of the Loire in anger

Covered with several trees, the banks must be cleared. In addition to this, a stretch of road must also be made safe. “I think a tree hit one of the stone blocks that support the road and weakened it,” explained Jean-Pierre Beaumel. A part that will be urgent to act on because this is the one road that allows residents of the village of Tolhance to reach the town.A road that was also completely under water at the time of the flood, blocking residents until Saturday morning.Jean-Louis Beaumel shows the damage to the general secretary of the prefecture, Nathalie Cencic. GC

In the city, the damage did not stop there. A single-storey house was submerged up to the roof and the telephone and electricity networks were washed away by the waters. “The Longes housing estate remained for a day and a half without telephone and electricity,” said the mayor. Great damage, but which could have been more important according to Jean-Pierre Beaumel who continues to benefit from this flood: “This allows us to better understand the Local Urban Plan…”

Vorey-sur-Arzon

Downriver, in Vorey-sur-Arzon, the scars of the flood were still clearly visible this Tuesday afternoon during Nathalie Cencic’s visit. The water has risen almost to the level of the regional road that crosses the town. The cellars of the pharmacy and the butcher’s shop were flooded. Just like the ground floor and several basement floors of the houses facing the square below. “The anti-flood wall was not enough, the water overflowed it. It must be improved,” explained Mayor Cécile Gallien.Between the town and the banks of the Loire, the mud is still very present in Vorey. NM

A little further down, the technical services and Red Cross buildings were also flooded. But the greatest damage was to be despised at “Vorey-plage”, at the mouth of the Arzon. Several trees have fallen and been uprooted showing the violence of the phenomenon. The bed of the river is full of trees and rocks of all sizes, carried away by the current. “The island and peninsula must be “cracked” to facilitate the advance of the water. It was all cut down and removed six years ago, but has since grown back. »

Tence, Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, Brives-Charensac, Vorey-sur-Arzon… all photos and videos of floods in Haute-Loire

Popular with locals and tourists, the banks are in a bad state today. “Before that, there was grass and sand. Now, we only see grass and water,” continued Cécile Gallien. A little further on, the path to the fort is now full of stones drained by the stream. At the level of the lift pump, the riprap was seriously disturbed during the flood. The path is no longer recognizable at all and there is a large hole in the middle of the rocks. “As much dead vegetation needs to be removed and the banks protected. The water must be sent to the other bank. The flood channels have been very useful and will continue to be useful in providing relief from more water in the future. »Cécile Gallien and Nathalie Cencic on a path to the Fort which is not suitable for vehicles today. NM

For the mayor of Vorey, the urgency is above all to re-establish the link between the town and the towns of Nant and Le Chambon. At this time, the road can no longer be moved, all the tar has disappeared with the decay. “We would like to do something substantial to reinforce access once and for all. For now, residents have to take a ride to get to Vorey. »Cécile Gallien and Nathalie Cencic on the banks of the Loire. NM

And now?

When the general secretary of the prefecture arrived, in their municipalities, the mayors were able to see the damage and, above all, get valuable information about the measures that should be followed. Natural disaster declarations are already being considered. The procedure was expedited. After that, the municipalities have to do a long schedule and costing job. Renovation work on public buildings, roads, drainage, etc. In collaboration with the Department of Lands Directorate (DDT), the State will support the affected municipalities. In addition to the recognition of a natural disaster, it is necessary to quickly send a file of solidarity allowance to Paris to release an envelope for future work. “We should not wait until a natural disaster is declared to start recording and measuring,” said Nathalie Cencic.

For its part, the DDT will soon launch several investigations. “The priority will be to assess the impact in order to carry out the most urgent work”; such as erosion or flow velocity. “Hydrological studies will also be carried out to study the behavior of the Loire during the flood and strengthen the forecast models,” concluded Christophe Merlin, deputy director of Haute-Loire DDT.

“We will try to put the water back into their network”: in Estables, the damage to public roads is estimated to be close to €200,000

Text and photos by Nathan Marliac & Guillaume Chorin