Despite persistent drought and rare rains, the Pyrénées-Orientales department remains particularly vulnerable : 189 of its 226 municipalities are in flood zones.
According to Hermeline Malherbe, president of the Department and the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS 66), “the risk of flooding, whether due to floods, marine submersion or runoff, does indeed exist in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It is even aggravated by climate change and drought, which unfortunately we have the proof with the deadly floods in Valencia in Spain.”
189 municipalities in flood zones
To raise public awareness, workshops are offered to learn first aid, put together an emergency kit or adopt good reflexes facing a flood. Meetings with SDIS 66 firefighters throughout the year in commercial areas also allow us to answer practical questions: how do we know if we live in a flood zone or if our house is exposed to any other climatic risk? How to react in the event of rising water levels and, conversely, what should you absolutely not do?
Putting together an emergency kit: a priority
In the event of a flood, having an emergency kit can be very useful to avoid panic. This bag should allow last 72 hours without assistancewhile help is organized.
It must contain essential elements : drinking water (6 liters per person), non-perishable and consumable food without cooking, a flashlight with spare batteries, a lighter, a Swiss army knife, a radio to follow the instructions of the authorities, a kit first aid and daily medication, warm clothes, as well as copies of important documents and some cash in a waterproof pouch, a bunch of keys and the charger for your mobile phone.
Antoine Dagan
Actions to adopt
During a risky weather episode, emergency services advise follow the evolution of the situation on official sites like Météo-France or Vigicruesand to apply the instructions of the authorities in the event of an alert, which will be broadcast on public media such as the radio France Blue but also on the official social networks of the prefecture.
It is recommended to postpone all tripseven on foot. It is useless and risky to pick up your children from school, where they will be taken care of by emergency services. In the event of imminent danger, an audible alert will be broadcast by the sirens, recognizable by three signals of 1 minute and 41 seconds.
30 cm of water is enough to take away a car
If a flood occurs while you are at home: Stay safe and only evacuate when ordered by authorities. Turn off water, electricity and gas if it is safe to do so, and place valuable or dangerous items away from water. Take refuge upstairs with your emergency kit and limit telephone use to leave lines available for emergency services.
If you are outside, take shelter in a building from the first rain. Stay away from valleys, streams and wooded areas, and look for a high point. Never cross a ford or flooded road, as a vehicle can be swept away with as little as 30 cm of water. It is also crucial to do not go down into basements or underground car parksat the risk of being trapped by rising waters.
A number to know in case of emergency and need for assistance to a person in danger: the 112 to call emergency services free of charge from across the European Union.
