River Ijzer: flood situation eases
 

http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/flandersnews.be/News/070725_Ijzer

River Ijzer: flood situation eases

Wed 25/07/07 - Water levels in the basin of the River Ijzer are slowly
falling, but the situation remains precarious in a number of spots in
West Flanders.
Heavy rainfall on Monday night led to flooding and extremely high
water levels in waterways in vast swathes of West Flanders.
(Belga)
Water levels in many waterways are still at the alarm level and it
could take a while before these brooks and rivers have returned to
their own bed.

Most of the problems in the area near the French border have now been
sorted.

Civil protection officers and fire fighters will have their work cut
out for them today as the clean up operation proceeds in houses that
have been flooded.
Swimming ban at six beaches
(Belga)
As a result of the heavy rainfall swimming has had to be banned on
several beaches on our North Sea coast, but the ban should only be in
place for a couple of days.

The swimming ban is being introduced at the insistence of the Flemish
Environment Company.

As a result of the heavy weather too much pollution has ended up in
the sea water.

Four beaches in Ostend are affected, one in De Panne and one in
Koksijde.

Ostend fire service believes the ban can be lifted within the next
couple of days.

As a result of the heavy rainfall a lot of untreated water ended up in
streams, canals and rivers and has now been swept into the sea.
(VRT)
Pigs did not fly
The floods are believed to have caused several hundred thousands of
euros worth of damage.

Damage is greatest in Poperinge and the hamlet of Watou.

Water levels reached 30 cms in some homes.

One guy told the VRT that the fish from his pond were swimming in his
greenhouse.

At the gate of a pig processing company in Vleteren carcasses of dead
pigs were floating in the mud. The poor animals had drowned.

Further east the cellar of the brand new municipal hall in Zedelgem
was flooded. Many computers have been damaged.

The municipality intends to open an emergency window where locals can
take up urgent matters.

The official opening of the new municipal hall has been delayed.
Flood threat eases
(Belga)
Further rain is expected tonight and tomorrow.

However, the Belgian Met Office does not believe that this should lead
to further flooding.

The Met Office has also said that the abundant rainfall this month is
not really exceptional.

A lot of water did come down from the heavens in a very short time,
but rainfall averages for longer periods are no different from usual.