Substantial aid, but far from covering the extent of the damage estimated at more than 20 million euros in this area alone.
A colossal bill for Pilat
The consequences of the Mediterranean episode of October 17 are still being felt in the affected municipalities. Landslides, gutted roads, collapsed embankments, unusable bridges… In La Versanne, one of the most affected villages, Mayor André Geourjon gives the extent of the disaster: “The damage represents twice our annual operating revenue. »
The president of the community of communes of Rhone Pilat, Serge Rault, estimates that the overall bill will reach more than 20 million euros. A gigantic sum for municipalities that are often already financially fragile. “We will have to spread this work over two or three years, but for small towns like ours, it is enormous,” confides Annick Flacher, mayor of Saint-Appolinard.
The Department mobilizes funds, but says it is under pressure
The Loire Department has identified a twenty priority projects in Pilat, including the rehabilitation of the RD1082 in La Versanne, where a landslide is blocking strategic access. Thierry Guinand, deputy director general at the Department, specifies, however, that other emergencies exist elsewhere: “We have 120 other interventions to be carried out throughout the territory, and we are not magicians. »
To deal with this crisis, the departmental council has already released 2 million euros in emergency reserves and voted 4 million more early December. In total, an envelope of 10 to 12 million euros should be affected, but it will be insufficient. “We hope for state aid, but it is neither guaranteed nor immediate,” underlines Jean-François Chorain, departmental advisor.
Municipalities in difficulty, the shadow of taxation looms
On the municipal side, the feeling of abandonment dominates. “ We’re a little alone », deplores Jean-Paul Seneclauze, roads assistant in Chavanay, who is calling for an emergency bridge over the Valencize, while waiting for the repair of the Tour bridge, the work on which is estimated at 1 million euros. Despite a state subsidy that can cover 60% of this cost, it will remain 400 000 euros to finance, a crushing burden for a municipality.
While funds are lacking, the only possible solution seems to be a increase in local taxes. “We have never been in such a situation, financially,” warns Serge Rault. “It is taxation that will have to compensate. »
A meeting marked by urgency… and snow
During a meeting organized this December 9 in La Versanne to take stock of the work, several elected officials, including Georges Ziegler, president of the Department, were unable to reach the location because of snowfall. But the urgency remains palpable: the elected officials present, although reduced in number, stressed the importance of speeding up the projects to avoid further deterioration of the infrastructure.
While the scars of the floods continue to hamper the daily lives of residents and increase the burden on elected officials, one question remains: who will complete the necessary financial effort? For now, the answer remains unanswered.
