Updated on 22/11/2024
The Orne department remains placed on ORANGE “snow-ice” alert by Météo-France until tomorrow, Friday November 22, 12 p.m. The crisis unit in the prefecture remains operational until the end of the climatic episode.
1. Road traffic
Traffic conditions remain poor across the entire network.
On the national network as on the main departmental network, salting operations continue continuously, with in particular 35 winter treatment machines hired by the departmental council.
The evacuation maneuvers of heavy goods vehicles parked in storage areas towards viable networks at the edge of the department carried out by the internal security forces made it possible to empty the parking areas.
On the A28, traffic is blocked in both directions. In the South-North direction, 3 kilometers of traffic jams have formed. The frost makes traffic dangerous, if not impossible, particularly on the particularly steep and icy Gacé slope. Heavy goods vehicles have found themselves jackknifed and blocking traffic. These heavy goods vehicles were traveling in contravention of the prefectural ban order. The lifting and towing machines are at work but working in very difficult conditions.
Consequently, the prefect has decided to prohibit by prefectural decree the circulation of any vehicle on the A28 between exit 15 (Sées) and exit 17 (Orbec) in both directions of traffic for an indefinite period at this stage. Users already involved are encouraged to exit the motorway as soon as they can and as much as possible at the Sées (South-North direction) and Orbec (North-South direction) exits.
Truck drivers who use the department's roads in violation of prefectural decrees will be duly fined €135 and will be held criminally or civilly liable in the event of a bodily or material accident.
The prefect of Orne renews and strengthens the traffic ban measures until midday, Friday November 22:
- The circulation of any vehicle is prohibited on the A28 between exit 15 (Sées) and exit 17 (Orbec) in both directions of traffic.
- The circulation of school transport in Orne is prohibited by prefectural decree, in consultation with the Regional Council.
- The circulation of heavy goods vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes is prohibited on the entire road network. Exceptions remain in a limited number of cases (tow trucks, milk collection, transport of live animals, etc.).
- The circulation of public transport is prohibited by prefectural decree, in consultation with the communities.
- The circulation of any vehicle is prohibited in forest areas due to the risk of falling trees.
In total, 163 personal rescue interventions were carried out by the SDIS, including:
- 30 road accidents, not serious, linked to the current meteorological episode
- 57 tree falls
2. Power cuts in progress in the department.
32,000 homes are without electricity in the department. 80 technicians from ENEDIS de l'Orne are mobilized and will be joined by as many national reinforcements from Ile-de-France and Nord-Pas-de-Calais and service providers able to strengthen the means of intervention.
Any incident or anomaly observed must be reported to Enedis via the number 09 726 750 61 (reachable 24/7). “Patients at high vital risk” (PHRD) are identified and are contacted or in the process of being contacted. 4 home visits were made to check the patients' situation.
3. Telephone network
The telephone network is cut or defective in certain areas of the department. In the event of an emergency and in the absence of a telephone connection, go directly to the nearest SDIS emergency center.
4. Rail traffic
Passengers on SNCF Paris-Granville trains stranded at Argentan station were taken care of and spent the night in a gymnasium. Fragile people were taken care of more specifically. Six firefighters and 4 police officers were mobilized on site.
The SNCF is chartering coaches this morning which will transport passengers still stranded to Granville.
The operational command post armed on site by the sub-prefect of Argentan, with the mayor of Argentan, SDIS 61, the departmental association of civil protection (ADPC), the national police and the SNCF remains operational until to the handling of passengers by buses.
5. Triggering of the extreme cold plan
At the same time, due to the temperatures forecast for the coming days, the prefect has triggered the severe cold plan until Monday November 25, 2024. Daily raids are carried out and additional emergency accommodation places are open.
6. Behavior Tips
Stay informed:
- https://www.orne.gouv.fr/
- Facebook: Prefect of Orne
- X / Twitter : Prefet61
The prefect of Orne calls on everyone to limit and postpone non-essential travel and to follow the following behaviors:
- Be careful and vigilant if you absolutely have to travel;
- Find out about traffic conditions by consulting the site https://geo.orne.fr/inforoutes/
- Prepare your trip and your itinerary;
- Respect the traffic restrictions and diversions put in place;
- Facilitate the passage of road and highway clearance vehicles, in particular by parking your vehicle outside the traffic lanes;
- Protect yourself from falls and protect others by clearing snow and salting the sidewalks in front of your home, while avoiding obstructing water drains;
- Under no circumstances touch electrical wires that have fallen to the ground;
- It is essential to install generators outside buildings. To follow vigilance: https://vigilance.meteofrance.fr/fr/orne
The prefect of Orne greets and thanks for their commitment all the staff, firefighters of SDIS 61, gendarmes, police officers, agents of the Departmental Council, Enedis technicians, employees and volunteers of associations, mobilized since Thursday morning in the whole department.
