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Call for Vigilance After Recent Floods & Landslides near Morzine

Many roads remain flooded & river banks are unstable

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Morzine Editor Updated

After a small amount of respite from the rain, there has been a call for vigilance and sensible behaviour from the Mairie of Morzine & Avoriaz - notably to stay away from the rivers edge and flood risk areas.

This currently includes Lac Montriond, where the water is dangerously high & being monitored, the Vallée de la Manche (along waters edge), the Vallée des Ardoisières, Route du Palais des Sports, the footpath along the Dérèches and the chemin du Renard, the Route des Udrezants at the roundabout des Meuniers. We’re assured that the situation at Lac Montriond is under control after concerns the dam there wasn’t able to hold the high levels of water from the lake.

The lac d'Avoriaz is now around 7m higher than normal for this time of year, drowning the two chairlifts (Le Tour & Express du Stade) and their electrical supply boxes as well as the snow making equipment nearby. Damage is believed to be extensive and will take some time and a large cost to repair. At the moment staff are unable to reach the equipment to inspect the full extent of the damage, so they'll have to wait for the water to recede for making an assessment.

The village of Jutteninges-le-Petit on the road from Taninges to Samoens, a landslide carrying mud and debris up to 1 metre high has caused huge damage to homes and the electricity supply. A large clean up is taking place to try to get rid of the sludge and debris.

In the Abondance Valley (linking Chatel to Thonon) landslides and high running rivers are still causing problems and some roads are still flooded. Late last night they managed to re-open the road at Chevenoz, but the authorities are suggesting that people only travel in these areas if absolutely necessary. The video below shows one of the roads in the area at 07:30 today.

You are advised not to travel on the RD 902 between Bioge and Morzine, again due to landslides & flooding. Diversions are in place for anyone needing to travel to Thonon.

Emergency numbers should you need them are Police: 17, Firefighters: 18, Samu: 15.

So the message is stay away from high running rivers, flooded lakes and areas that have already been affected by landslides until the areas have been declared safe. Do not try to ford sumberged roads with on foot or in a vehicle.

A clean up operation is already taking place in Morzine, Les Gets and the surrounding towns and villages. More showers are predicted over the coming hours although it seems we won’t be seeing heavy rain like we’ve had over the last few days.

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