West Flanders is anxiously awaiting the new rainfall expected on Thursday and Governor Carl Decaluwé is also very concerned. He even sent out a BE Alert on Wednesday evening. “It’s best to stay indoors and don’t let your children play outside tomorrow,” he said.
Read all about the water misery in the Westhoek in our file.
Carl Decaluwé left for abroad at the beginning of this week, but boarded the plane back to Belgium on Wednesday. His province is in danger of having to deal with rarely seen flooding from Thursday. The governor therefore sent out a BE Alert on Wednesday evening, which only happens in disasters or real crisis situations. “On November 9, I announced the provincial phase for the flooding that initially mainly affected the Westhoek, but since yesterday a large part of the province of West Flanders,” he begins his message. “On the night of November 15 to 16, the RMI predicts additional precipitation on top of an already saturated soil. In West Flanders, more than 25 millimeters can fall locally in 24 hours. This can cause additional local flooding.”
LOOK. How much rain can we expect on Thursday?
Warning
According to Decaluwé, all possible technical measures have now been taken. “This involves the use of large pumps in various locations in a well-thought-out, efficient manner, taking water management into account. The fire brigade, technical services, Civil Protection, defense… were deployed to lay sandbags. Stocks are constantly replenished at 3 locations.”
After which he issues a clear warning. “Message number one during rain and flooding: it is best to stay indoors. Only go outside if there really is no other option. Do not let children play outside. After all, your safety and the safety of your loved ones are a priority. If you have to go outside: Fluvius was asked to keep the street lights on until Sunday evening, November 19. This is for safety.”
Additional emergency number
You can find all the measures you can take yourself on the website of the National Crisis Center. Anyone who needs help from the fire brigade is asked to contact 1722. Is someone in danger? Then call 911. “And do you still have to move? Then adjust your driving behavior and keep sufficient distance. And make sure you are sufficiently visible when you go on foot or by bike,” Decaluwé concludes.
The province of West Flanders also activated an extra emergency number on Wednesday evening. Anyone can call 0800/14.689 with their questions about the flooding until at least Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
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