After the flood

Reportage in southern Belgium accompanying the journalist Morgane Anneix to understand how communities affected by devastating floods in 2021 were dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.

The main street of Trooz in southern Belgium. The town is stretched out along the Vesdre river, which flooded in July 2021 after days of rainfall.
The main street of Trooz in southern Belgium. The town is stretched out along the Vesdre river, which flooded in July 2021 after days of rainfall.
The collapsed roof of a farm building in Trooz, right next to the Vesdre river.
The collapsed roof of a farm building in Trooz, right next to the Vesdre river.
Valérie Constant is a warder at the tourist information office in Trooz. She witnessed the 2021 floods, her house being built only meters away from the Vesdre river.
Valérie Constant is a warder at the tourist information office in Trooz. She witnessed the 2021 floods, her house being built only meters away from the Vesdre river.
Valérie Constant scrolls through pictures she took in the aftermath of the floods.
Valérie Constant scrolls through pictures she took in the aftermath of the floods.
An abandoned restaurant in Trooz.
An abandoned restaurant in Trooz.
An abandoned house in Trooz. A sign on the second floor marks it as being for sale.
An abandoned house in Trooz. A sign on the second floor marks it as being for sale.
Debris in an abandoned building right next to the main street of Trooz. Even three years after the flood, the town still bears many traces of its desctructive force.
Debris in an abandoned building right next to the main street of Trooz. Even three years after the flood, the town still bears many traces of its desctructive force.
A row of houses bordering the Vesdre in neighbouring Chaudfontaine, March 1st 2024. 25 out of 27 would be destroyed only a week later as flood risks had been evaluated as too high.
A row of houses bordering the Vesdre in neighbouring Chaudfontaine, March 1st 2024. 25 out of 27 would be destroyed only a week later as flood risks had been evaluated as too high.
In Chaudfontaine, the row of houses bordering the Vesdre river features goodbye messages from residents, who have been forced to leave.
In Chaudfontaine, the row of houses bordering the Vesdre river features goodbye messages from residents, who have been forced to leave.
A goodbye message on an evacuated house awaiting its destruction in Chaudfontaine: "Goodbye since 1968: I will miss you. Fabienne."
A goodbye message on an evacuated house awaiting its destruction in Chaudfontaine: "Goodbye since 1968: I will miss you. Fabienne."