The City of Orléans lies on the banks of the Loire, which crosses it from east to west. Since 2000 this part of the Loire valley has been classed a world heritage site by UNESCO. Orléans is the Capital City of the Centre Region approximately 133 kilometres south of Paris, and has 116,256 inhabitants. Orléans experienced its last major floods in the 19th century. In these floods the Orléans river banks were under water, just like almost the entire valley on the left bank of the Loire. The subsequent respite is solely due to favourable weather conditions. In a major flood the Loire rises higher than the dyke, leading to its breach. No valley can avoid the risk of flooding.
The Vallée d’Orléans has become significantly urbanised since the 19th century, and more than 20,000 people in the Orléans commune live in flood-prone areas. However, the flood risk has not disappeared and Orléans will still be vulnerable if identical weather conditions to those experienced in the past were to occur again.
The City of Orléans, the Val de Loire Conurbation, and the Loiret Departmental Council are working together in the FRC project to raise awareness of the potential impact of flooding by the River Loire and to reduce risk by increasing the resilience of buildings and infrastructures and by preparing evacuation and recovery plans should an extreme flood occur.
The Vallée d’Orléans has become significantly urbanised since the 19th century, and more than 20,000 people in the Orléans commune live in flood-prone areas. However, the flood risk has not disappeared and Orléans will still be vulnerable if identical weather conditions to those experienced in the past were to occur again.
The City of Orléans, the Val de Loire Conurbation, and the Loiret Departmental Council are working together in the FRC project to raise awareness of the potential impact of flooding by the River Loire and to reduce risk by increasing the resilience of buildings and infrastructures and by preparing evacuation and recovery plans should an extreme flood occur.
