For around twenty years, the buildings of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, east of Tours, have been designed differently. Collective buildings, housing estates and individual houses have in fact been raised in this town located between the Loire and the Cher, which is entirely subject to flooding in the event of a major flood. The living spaces of these dwellings were moved away from the ground floors to anticipate a rise in water levels and a breach of the dike which contains the Loire. The latest buildings constructed have even evacuated from cellars and basements all electrical installations and equipment vulnerable to water, such as electrical panels, telephone lines and even boilers.
An essential approach to limit the damage caused by flooding, ensure continuity and a rapid restart of services and the daily lives of residents. “We have gone so far as to carry out constructions on stilts which bring the perception of a town on the banks of the Loire with a risk of flooding”, explains Marie-France Beaufils, former senator (Centre-Val de Loire region), who was also mayor of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps from 1983 to 2020.
Understanding the flood
Today president of CEPRI (European Center for Flood Risk Prevention), Marie-France Beaufils has always been aware of the subject of rising water levels. For a long time, it had gardens and municipal stadiums covered in water… until the Vaison-la-Romaine disaster. On September 22, 1992, this village, which is located in a hilly area, transition between the broad Rhône plain, and the reliefs of Mont Ventoux and the Baronnies, was the scene of mudslides and torrential rains. The flood is rapid and brutal with a peak flow close to 1200 cubic meters per second.
It was this murderous episode which left its mark on people’s minds and led to the principle of a global development plan for the Loire and then to the launch of the ‘life-size Loire’ plan from January 1994. “A multidisciplinary team was put in place to help us better understand how the flood could occur,” comments Marie-France Beaufils. Elected officials then carry out reflection work to integrate the risks of flooding from the moment a building permit is filed. They also provide residents with a ‘consulting architect’ who considers the development of their property.
To go further, register for the conference on infrastructure adaptation: “Decide Now”organized on October 8, 2024 by Fabrique de la Cité, and of which L’Opinion is a partner.
