Is the population sufficiently informed?

In Corrèze, a third of the municipalities are exposed to possible flooding. This is the main risk of natural disaster in the department. However, in Tulle, the population remains largely ignorant of this danger and of the behavior to adopt in the event of significant flooding.

In Tulle, on the banks of the Corrèze, a few markers mark the path of the most attentive walkers. On these plaques, an inscription recalls a historical event: “October 1960, highest known waters“If the 100-year flood that occurred more than sixty years ago had a profound impact on local memory, the youngest Tullists are probably unaware that their river can be tumultuous.”Could it be flooded?“, asks, astonished, a passer-by interviewed. “We are not well prepared, because it doesn't happen often“, retorts another resident.

Floods constitute the main risk of natural disaster in the department. A third of municipalities are exposed to it. Since the renaturation of the watercourse, carried out between 2013 and 2016, losses have been considerably reduced, to the great happiness of Cécile At, manager of a restaurant on the quays. The damage of the past pushed her to make arrangements. In his cellar, everything remains elevated, just in case. “I was obliged to measure the riskshe says. I think that unfortunately, you have to have been confronted with it once…“

May people have the right reflexes by staying safe and staying at home.

Olivier Lefeuvre, technician at the Rivers department of the Tulle urban community

Although the floods may be contained, the floods are increasing. Due to global warming, Corrèze has experienced three rises in water levels over the last five years. This frequency turns out to be six times greater than before. En October, the torrential rains which ravaged Valencia traumatized the Spaniards. This tragedy reminded us of the need to inform the population about the behaviors to adopt – and to avoid – in the event of an alert.

“What is the most dangerous and deadly, is to take your carexplains Olivier Lefeuvre, technician in the Rivers department of the Tulle urban community. People must have the right reflexes by staying safe and staying at home. Above all, you should not go looking for your children, for example. Do not add excess accidents. Otherwise, we will mobilize aid that we may need elsewhere. It's called risk culture, and it's work that still needs to be emphasized.“

Faced with more intense and more numerous events, this adaptation of behavior also involves an adaptation of urban constructions. “This means redeveloping our cities by de-waterproofing them when possible, by creating vegetation, by creating retention basinsdetails Magali Reghezza, geographer, specialist in adaptation to environmental changes. We have time to prepare, and everyone, with their skills and means, will have to get involved. Knowing that behind it, there are a lot of benefits.”

In Tulle, this de-waterproofing has already started in the prefecture district and on Place Carnot. The beginnings, perhaps, of a more natural and less floodable city.