Pas-de-Calais remains under threat from water. Météo-France kept the department on red alert, Friday November 10, for both “floods” and “rain-flooding”. “We expect, by 4 p.m., the beginning of a lull which should last throughout the weekend.declared Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition, on franceinfo. “But with some concerns again for the start of next week,” because “there could be precipitation again”he warned. “We will keep this territory under surveillance”warns the minister, without specifying the color.
If the rains fell in the night were less strong than expected, according to France Blue North, caution remains in order. Severe bad weather, which “following already exceptional accumulations for several days” and take place “in a very worrying hydrological context”, could strengthen in the morning, according to Météo France. Follow our live stream.
A state of natural disaster soon to be triggered. The state of natural disaster must be triggered on November 14 for the affected cities, confirmed the Minister of Ecological Transition on franceinfo. “We need to reassure people of our support.”, added Christophe Béchu. More than 50 municipalities have already submitted a file, according to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, but no less than 130 have been affected in recent days by the floods and record high waters of the Liane, the Aa and of the Canche. The insurer Axa “approximate” of the thousand disasters reported in Pas-de-Calais and the North, its regional director, Thibaut Denys de Bonnaventure, announced on Thursday.
Around fifty firefighters intervened during the night. Pas-de-Calais firefighters “carried out around fifty interventions last night to pump, to clear homes when necessary, to carry out reconnaissance”detailed Friday morning the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, guest of France Blue North. “Thirty-five evacuations were carried out this night”including that of “19 residents of a retirement home in Nielles-les-Bléquin, which was threatened by the start of flooding”he added.
Schools closed. Schools in 200 municipalities will remain closed on Friday, like the day before. Furthermore, train traffic remains interrupted on two sections (Boulogne-Etaples and Saint-Pol-Etaples) at least until Saturday, “in order to guarantee the safety of travelers and staff”, warned the SNCF about.