the most threatened sectors

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On September 8 and 9, 2002, a rainstorm episode of exceptional intensity affected the departments bordering the Cévennesparticularly on theHérault and the Gard. The toll is heavy with 23 dead. In Occitania, more than one in four inhabitants exposed to the risk of flooding. Here are the most threatened sectors.

More than one in four inhabitants

During the night of Sunday October 14 to Monday October 15, 2018, torrential rains this time affected the Aude department, causing 14 deaths.

According to the latest publication of theINSEEpublished in October 2024, “in Occitanie1.6 million inhabitants live in an area exposed to the risk of flooding by overflowing rivers.

The Mediterranean rim particularly exposed

In addition to direct victims, there are numerous material damage. Occitanie is the French region where the cumulative costs of flood-related damage are the highest over the last two decades.

“These phenomena are likely to worsen with climate change and underline the importance of raising awareness of the danger and training people in the behaviors to adopt in the event of an emergency. »

Occitania is exposed to several types of flooding: river overflow, marine submersion, runoff, etc. “The risk of flooding by river overflow is very present on the coast where many rivers converge. water,” continues INSEE. “These areas are densely populated. »

Thus, among the people in the region exposed to this risk, 70% live in one of the four coastal departments (Aude, Hérault, Gard, Pyrénées-Orientales).

Outside the coastal departments, exposure is lower, except in Ariègebut the population concerned is smaller.

Toulouse is relatively preserved

Exposure is very high in some of the most populated intermunicipalities such as the agglomeration community of Nimes Metropolis or the urban community Perpignan Mediterranean Metropolis. It is less so in the intercommunality of Montpellier Mediterranean Metropolis but the number of residents concerned is significant. Conversely, the inhabitants of Toulouse Metropolis are relatively preserved.

Five campsites out of ten

“Occitanie is a region where tourism is developed and the proximity of waterways contributes to this attractiveness,” underlines INSEE. Tourist structures are therefore highly exposed to the risk of flooding. “ Five campsites out of ten et four out of ten hotels are located in an area exposed to the risk of river overflow. In total, these structures in risk areas can accommodate more than 300,000 people. »

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