Conditions in Westhoek, a region in western Flanders, remain stable amid continued flood threats, reassures acting governor Anne Martens.
Emergency services are on standby, ready to distribute extra sandbags in case further flooding problems arise, according to comments made after an emergency meeting on the matter.
Preventive measures included raising the winter dyke at the artificial lake Blankaart on Sunday, to avert spillage issues. Additional sandbags were placed in the industrial area of Dixmude, with boosted pumping capacity at the Nieuwpoort lock complex to swiftly channel water into the sea.
Moreover, there has been mutual aid with neighbouring countries. France is dispatching water via Dunkirk, while the Lys and Scheldt basins are drained at Terneuzen in the Netherlands. "Dixmude, Blankaart and the Yser remain critical points, but the situation is under control at the moment," assures Martens.
In addition to extra sandbags from the defence, it was decided at the last crisis meeting that pumps would remain operational for a few more weeks to divert maximum water from inside the Belgian borders out to the sea. "Even though the bulk of the rain has passed us, tomorrow more rain and wind are forecast," warns the governor.
No evacuations are currently scheduled, but the emergency services are ready to evacuate residents if required. They’re already planning post-evacuation management, and considering types of assistance that could be offered to flood victims.
