Water Risk Prevention Strategies
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsWater Risk Prevention Strategies
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsEssential for protecting people and property and limiting the degradation of aquatic environments, the
Risk prevention relies on numerous actors, primarily public ones. It is mainly based on
on raising awareness among the populations and the users concerned, but also involves better
knowledge of phenomena, the implementation of actions to reduce risks and stakes, and
the organization of means of combat and relief.
1. Natural risks related to water
In general, risks are defined as the combination of a hazard - the probability of the
occurrence of a natural phenomenon - and particular issues - the existence of people, facilities or
activities that may be impacted by this phenomenon. Risk prevention thus relies on
two levers of action: the reduction of the hazard and the reduction of the stakes.
The main natural risks related to water are floods and marine submersions, but
also erosion and its violent manifestations (land movements), as well as drought
learn more about erosion, drought, or flooding). The so-called technological risks, that is to say
caused by potentially dangerous human activities, can sometimes exacerbate the
consequences of natural risks: this is, for example, the case of a levee breach generating
a flood.
Risk prevention should aim to reduce risks to people, property and
the environment. It notably includes a set of measures implemented to reduce the
occurrence of events and, when they occur, their impacts.
2. Knowing the risks to better manage them
Knowledge of risks is an essential prerequisite for their prevention. It allows for the identification of
affected areas, the potential impacts, and the conditions likely to generate these phenomena.
State services are responsible for this knowledge, which is reflected notably in mappings.
risk areas.
The Prefect, at the departmental level, and the Mayor, at the local level, must then prepare documents.
specific information intended for the public, particularly the departmental risk file
major risks (DDRM) and the communal information file on major risks (DICRIM).
State services are also responsible for establishing forecasting systems in order to
to anticipate events and to be able to inform the entire affected population. These systems
forecasts involve constant monitoring of the environmental state (meteorological monitoring by
for example) and rely on alert tools, such as Vigicrues.
Finally, a good understanding of the risks by all stakeholders involved (users, elected officials, stakeholders
economic) allows to act on uncertainties and issues, and limits the risk of taking measures
inappropriate, which could exacerbate the phenomenon or generate unnecessary expenses
necessary.
3. Reduce the uncertainties and the stakes
Reducing risks essentially involves building protective structures, which allow to
partially control the occurrence of events: dikes to limit the spread of floods, reservoirs of
storage to manage floods and then provide support during low water (release during the dry season)
rockfill to limit coastal erosion, etc. However, these actions have high costs and lead to
sometimes in the shift of the hazard more towards the watershed or the intensification of another risk.
For example, if the filling of storage tanks is done by pumping into the water
Underground, it can accelerate the occurrence of a drought by reducing underground reserves.
Reducing the stakes largely depends on good urban planning. Thus, the risks
natural factors must be taken into account in urban planning documents (local urban planning plans)
-PLU- in particular), which must take into account natural risk prevention plans (PPRN). These
lastly identify precisely the areas where constructions are prohibited, and those where they are not
can only be done under particular conditions.
4. Organize aid and raise public awareness
Risk reduction measures must be accompanied by an organization of rescue services, in order to
to facilitate their intervention when necessary. This is the purpose of tools set up at different levels,
notably the ORSEC plan (organization of civil security response) at the departmental level and
of the communal safeguard plan (PCS) at the municipal level if a prevention plan of
natural hazards (PPRN) has been approved.
Finally, all these measures are complemented by communication and public awareness.
as economic actors, so that the population knows how to react in case of a natural disaster.
This also allows for the maintenance of a risky memory.
The instructions to follow in case of flooding
As soon as you are notified of the likely occurrence of a flood, put your belongings in a dry place (furniture
on cinder blocks, etc.), cut off electricity and gas, seal off water entries (doors, windows, vents,
etc.), secure the tanks, park your vehicle at a high point and make a reserve of drinking water and
food products.
During the flood, stay informed about the rising waters, move to safety on higher ground, and
wait for information from the authorities: evacuate only once an order is given, or when the rise
Do not enter any lane, whether on foot or in a car.
Following a flood, ventilate your home as much as possible, disinfect with bleach, heat immediately.
as possible and for a long time, in order to be able to return to a healthy home. Do not restore the power
once the installation is dry.