Tuesday’s heavy rain has seen flood alert thresholds exceeded on various rivers and streams in both Flanders and Wallonia. Further showers of rain are expected today. The Dender Bassin in the southeast of East Flanders is most at risk from flooding.
Flood alert threshold exceeded on numerous rivers and streams in both Flanders and Wallonia
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On Tuesday sandbags were distributed to residents in municipalities and towns such as Geraardsbergen and Ninove in East Flanders and Liedekerke, Lennik and Sint-Pieters Leeuw in Flemish Brabant.
Also in Flemish Brabant, rail services between Brussels and Halle were suspended for a time on Tuesday evening due to flooding on the track at Buizingen. The measures contained in the Provincial Disaster Coordination Plan are in force in Flemish Brabant and East Flanders.
The situation at various locations in the Dender Bassin is described as critical. There was already some flooding on Tuesday evening and an animal sanctuary in the East Flemish town of Ninove had to be evacuated.
On Wednesday the residents of 7 houses in the village of Zandbergen, near Geraardsbergen have been evacuated from their homes. Also in East Flanders 20 houses in the village of Wichelen are threatened by flooding after the Molenbeek burst its banks. The Fire Service is working flat out to pump water from the Molenbeek into the River Scheldt.
The Mayor of the Flemish Brabant municipality of Affligem Walter De Donder (Christian democrat) describes the situation in his municipality as “critical”, several streets close to the River Dender and Bellebeek are under water.
Water level expected to peak around midday
The Governor of East Flanders Carina Van Cauter (liberal) says that it is expected that water levels will reach their peak at around midday. The situation is being monitored closely and assistance being offered where necessary.
In Antwerp Province and Flemish Brabant too the provincial authorities are working closely with municipal authorities. In Antwerp Province the areas around the Grote Nete at Zammel, near Geel, Westerlo and Hulshout and the villages of Lippelo and Liezele near to the border with Flemish Brabant are most a risk from flooding. Elsewhere, there was flooding at an industrial estate in Turnhout on Tuesday evening.