The impacts of storm Xynthia February 27–28, 2010 in France: lessons for flood risk management

This paper documents and discuss the facts, findings and lessons after the storm (in F rench T empête) X ynthia, F ebruary 27–28, 2010. A storm surge combined with the high tide and waves caused failure and damages to flood defences along a coastline of 200 km. More then 50 000 ha of land was consequently flooded, and 47 people died as a result of the flood and storm. Findings and lessons are defined along the principals of a flood risk management strategy of three layers (multilayer safety approach): prevention, land use planning and emergency management. The findings can be used to improve flood prevention, land use planning and preparedness. These findings can also be used for further development of the relation between the authorities and citizens for low frequent, and not preventable, coastal flood events.