Around 750 households, or roughly 1,000 people, in Liège were affected by the heavy rains that pounded the area on 17 May, Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer reported.
The worst hit areas were identified as Wandre, Jupille, Rocourt, Chênée and to a lesser extent, Angleur, Mayor Demeyer said.
A crisis centre was established at the Liège police station on the evening of the flooding. Police and technical teams were deployed to provide support, he stated.
In Wandre and Jupille, due to the steep, wooded slopes, torrents of mud and water swept through the streets. Response crews distributed sand bags to local residents.
Also in Wandre, parts of the cemetery’s wall collapsed and multiple graves were damaged. In Rocourt, many individuals were trapped in the Kinepolis complex with the adjoining car park was submerged.
As with the 2021 summer floods, a residential care home in Chênée was affected, triggering a medical contingency plan. As a result, about 15 occupants were moved to nearby hospitals while others had to be transferred to an alternate care home.
In Angleur, some 15 motorists were caught between a fallen tree across the road and mudslides. In the aftermath, 11 households received accommodation assistance, while clearing and cleaning continued into the following day, the mayor highlighted in response to queries from councillors representing several communities.
With regard to Jupille, where overflowing river water flooded many houses, the mayor said he wanted a comprehensive study to be undertaken by the University of Liège and the Public Society of Water Management (SPGE).
Finally, in light of concerns raised by the Green Flame party about the threats of urbanisation, the mayor reassured councillors that the municipal development plan, approved last February, identified certain areas to be safeguarded.
He confirmed that a huge plot of land overlooking Jupille, currently targeted for housing construction, was included.
