"We are flooded to protect the city dwellers": in the Bordeaux countryside, the anger of rural residents after the Pedro storm
Rural residents in the Bordeaux countryside express their anger after being flooded due to measures taken to protect urban areas during Storm Pedro.
In the aftermath of Storm Pedro, rural residents in Cubzac-les-Ponts, located 23 kilometers from Bordeaux, are voicing their frustration as their neighborhood experiences significant flooding. The local river, the Dordogne, overflowed, inundating homes along its banks. Residents had been warned of potential flooding due to elevated water levels, but the reality of the flood has left many houses impacted, particularly those with ground floors that are now underwater.
The flooding has prompted a strong sense of community, as neighbors come together to help each other salvage belongings and find resilience amid the chaos. Conversations among residents highlight their solidarity while also emphasizing the lack of consideration they feel from authorities who seem to prioritize urban safety over rural welfare. This divide poses questions about local governance and resource allocation in the face of climate-related challenges like severe storms.
Despite the serious damage to property, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities from the storm. However, the incident underscores the ongoing challenges rural areas face with extreme weather events, especially regarding infrastructure that is often deemed insufficient. The anger and frustration of the rural population may lead to demands for more equitable treatment and improved flood management strategies in the future.