“The water rushed in at full speed, and the level rose rapidly. Within fifteen minutes, we lost everything here,” recounts the butcher from the center of Ittre, reflecting on the
severe floods that occurred on July 29, 2014, which were even more devastating than those in 2010. “In some houses, the water rose to three meters. It was terrible!”
“I remember seeing torrents of water and mud, carrying cars, trees, and piles of objects,” says a resident of Rue Basse. In total, one hundred houses were damaged in 2014, and the damage from the two major floods is still fresh in everyone’s memory. However, over time and the implementation of multiple anti-flood structures, tranquility has returned to the center of the village in Walloon Brabant.
On Saturday, the inauguration of the new Temporary Immersion Zone (ZIT) in Gaesbeck, upstream of the center, marks a decisive turning point for the inhabitants and local authorities. “This ZIT is the final barrier to be added to the existing works upstream,” explains Mayor Christian Fayt. “The ZIT serves as a buffer and is the last defense before the football field and the center of Ittre. This zone can retain nearly 54,400 cubic meters of water that the other upstream ZITs cannot hold in the event of a severe flood. Its construction is likely to reassure the population.”
Many traders and residents agree – the new ZIT, in combination with other anti-flood structures, is reassuring. “Of course, there is no such thing as zero risk, but this work should significantly reduce, or even eliminate, the impact of severe floods. Moreover, what happened in 2014 and 2010 were exceptional phenomena. There is no longer any need to panic at every storm,” states one resident.
“I am no longer afraid nowadays,” echoes another. “It is true that following the events, some inhabitants left Ittre. But now, other people have moved into the center, and we have faith in the system put in place.” In fact, one resident purchased two damaged houses following the 2014 tragedy. “I am well-informed, and the probability of reliving those floods is very low, especially since the ZITs significantly reduce the risks.”
“The water came at full speed! His level rose very quickly. In a quarter of an hour we lost everything here“, remembers the butcher from the center of Ittre, referring to the serious floods of July 29, 2014, even more devastating than those of 2010. “In some houses, the water has risen to 3 meters. It was terrible ! (see photos above)“
“I remember seeing torrents of water and mud, carrying cars, trees and piles of objects”, says a resident of rue Basse. A hundred houses were damaged in 2014. The damage of the two major floods is still fresh in everyone’s memory. But today, over time and with the proliferation of anti-flood structures, serenity is back in the center of the village of Walloon Brabant.
54,400 m³ of water
This Saturday, the inauguration of the new Temporary Immersion Zone (ZIT) of Gaesbeck, upstream of the center, marks a turning point which seems decisive on the part of the inhabitants and the local authorities. “This ZIT is the last bulwark to be added to the works already developed upstream“, explains the mayor Christian Fayt. “The ZIT acts as a buffer. It is the last rampart before the football field and the center of Ittre. This zone will be able to retain the water that the other ZITs upstream might not retain, in the event of strong floods. It covers almost 4 hectares. It can retain some 54,400 m³ of water. It’s really likely to reassure the inhabitants“.
Reassuring rampart
Many traders and residents have confirmed it to us: the new ZIT, in addition to other anti-flood structures, is reassuring. “Zero risk does not exist, of course! But this work should greatly slow down, or even cancel out, the consequences of a high flood. Moreover, what happened in 2014 and 2010 were exceptional phenomena“. For this other citizen, there is no longer any question of panicking at the slightest storm.
“I am no longer afraid today. It is true that a series of inhabitants left Ittre following the events. But today, other people have come to settle in the centre. And we have confidence in the system put in place“. A resident even bought two damaged houses, in the wake of the 2014 tragedy. “I am well informed. The probability of reliving these floods is very low. Especially since ZITs greatly reduce the risks“.
With the addition of the Gaesbeck Temporary Immersion Zone, Ittre in Walloon Brabant now boasts of solid anti-flood structures that guarantee the safety and peace of mind of both residents and traders. The memory of the devastating floods of 2010 and 2014 may still be fresh, but the new ZIT serves as a reassuring rampart to prevent or minimize the destructive effects of high floods. The new ZIT completes the works developed upstream and covers almost 4 hectares, providing a buffer that can retain up to 54,400 m³ of water in the event of strong floods. Today, the inhabitants have trust in the system that has been put in place, and zero risk might not exist, but with the proliferation of anti-flood structures, the people living in Ittre are undoubtedly more secure than ever before.
