Saint-Martin-de-Crau faces severe flooding

The town of Saint-Martin-de-Crau in the Cévennes region experienced severe flooding after heavy rainfall, isolating the area and causing widespread disruption. Roads in the city and surrounding areas were submerged, and the main power station was affected, leaving residents without electricity.

Emergency response underway

Enedis, the electricity distribution company, has installed generators to provide power to around 3,000 affected customers. The prefect activated the Orsec plan to organize human and material support, while Mayor Séverine Dellanegra has requested the event be classified as a natural disaster. Over 100 firefighters from neighboring departments and civil protection teams have arrived as reinforcements.

Firefighters respond to multiple incidents

Colonel Briend, deputy director of the SDIS13 fire department, reported that more than 2,700 interventions were carried out, involving over 1,000 firefighters in the department. About a third of these were in the Arles and Saint-Martin area. Three fatalities have been reported, and investigations are ongoing to determine the causes.

Rainfall and water levels reach extreme levels

The mayor noted that the Crau aquifer was full, and 260 mm of rain fell in 24 hours, which could not be absorbed or drained. The Chapelette canal overflowed, flooding the city. The Vigueirat canal also overflowed into the Vigueirat marshes, raising the water level by 30 cm, though it has since dropped by about 5 cm.

Transport and infrastructure impacted

Traffic conditions are gradually improving, with the RN113 between Arles and Saint-Martin-de-Crau reopening during the day, as well as the motorway leading to Salon-de-Provence. However, the departmental road between Raphèle and the city remains impassable, requiring a detour via the Eyguières road and the Caphan hamlet.

Industrial areas and housing developments affected

The industrial zones of Bois de Leuze, Écopole, and Zac de la Cabrau have been heavily impacted, with many companies unable to resume operations. Around 100 businesses in the Arles area, many in Saint-Martin, are affected. The MacDo restaurant remains surrounded by water, and access to some logistics warehouses is still impossible. In the Mas Boussard housing development, water levels have exceeded one meter, and the receding is beginning slowly.

Support for affected businesses

The CCI of the Arles area is offering affected businesses temporary space at the Arles Congress Palace, where they can use offices and workspaces equipped with high-speed internet. Businesses are encouraged to contact the Congress Palace teams directly to discuss their needs and arrange accommodations. A support cell is also available for further assistance.

Concerns over future flooding risks

The extreme rainfall in the Cévennes, which is considered a centennial event, has raised concerns about the region's preparedness for such disasters. The flooding of the RN113, a major road connecting Spain and Italy, and the impact of large impermeable areas like logistics zones have been highlighted. Climate factors, including rising sea levels and increased frequency of extreme weather due to global warming, are expected to make such events more common and severe in the future.