The figures are chilling: 17.1 million French people are exposed to flood risks! And it's not going to get any better, as evidenced by the recent disasters that have hit our territory. For example, as recently as October 2024, no fewer than 24 municipalities in the Var were declared to be in a state of natural disaster. And what about the torrential rains that fell in the Centre-East, with totals reaching 700 mm in the Cévennes?
The most worrying thing? 64% of French people living in flood zones are not even aware that they are exposed to the risk! It's like playing Russian roulette with Mother Nature… And believe me, when the water starts to rise, panic is guaranteed. I witnessed it in my own village, and it's really not a pretty sight. We feel totally helpless, and we can only be spectators of all our belongings going into the water :/
Know the potential risks
Flood risks can take several forms:
- Overflowing watercourses
- Urban runoff
- Rising water tables
- Marine submersion for coastal areas
To find out if your home is in a flood zone, several resources are available to you. The first step is to go to the town hall to consult the Flood Risk Prevention Plan (PPRI), a mandatory document since 1995 that precisely delineates the areas exposed to risks. You can also consult the georisques.gouv.fr website, set up by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, which allows you to obtain this information by simply entering your address.
In France, this is not a subject to be taken lightly since 17.1 million people live in areas subject to flooding by overflowing rivers, and 1.4 million are exposed to marine submersion. If your property is located in a risk zone, the PPRI will allow you to precisely identify the level of risk using a color code: red and blue for built-up areas with high or low risk, and green for areas of low-urbanized flood expansion.
Technical solutions available
Fortunately, today there are many effective solutions to protect yourself from such damage, such as installing a anti-flood door For example.
Peripheral protection
Flood barriers are the first line of defense. Modern systems, like those offered by Isoflots for example, use the pressure of the water itself to reinforce their watertightness. These devices can effectively protect up to 83 cm of water height.
Access protection
Cofferdams represent a particularly suitable solution for securing sensitive entry points. Designed in extruded aluminum, they are quickly installed on main doors, windows, grilles and garage doors.
Innovation for protection
Current technologies allow simple and rapid installation of protection systems. For example, Isoflots barriers incorporate special seals that expand on contact with water to create a completely airtight barrier.
An investment for the future
Faced with the increase in extreme weather episodes, the installation of an anti-flood system becomes a wise investment. Modern solutions offer a lifespan of decades with minimal maintenance.
The importance of tailor-made protection
Each situation requires a personalized approach. Specialized manufacturers now offer detailed studies to identify vulnerable points and recommend the most appropriate solutions.
In conclusion, faced with the increase in flood risks, protecting our habitat is becoming an absolute priority. Existing technical solutions, particularly those developed by French manufacturers, now make it possible to effectively deal with this growing threat. So don't wait until you are faced with a disaster to take action: check whether you are potentially at risk in your region, and study the solutions best suited to your needs. Prevention is better than having your feet in water!
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