The Motherhouse of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd found itself on the front line of the Maine River flood that occurred beginning on February 14. For several days, the Angers maintenance team had to deal with a gradual, unpredictable, and exhausting rise in water levels, which reached 6.40 meters on Sunday, February 22. Gaëtan Collineau, head of the department, and Christophe Tarot look back on this crisis management.

It all began on Saturday, February 14. As early as Sunday, the water reached the Linden Tree Avenue. On Monday, the 16th, part of the parking lot was flooded, and the trash containers were floating: the first alert. Very quickly, the team understood that they had to anticipate the worst. “We didn’t know how high it could rise,” explains Gaëtan.

Workshops, storage areas, garages, the museum, the thrift shop, the greeting card workshop, the laundry room, and the cellars: all the spaces located in the flood zone were secured as much as possible. The reference tool became the Vigicrues website. But the curve remained stubbornly rising. “We could see that it was going up, but we didn’t see it going down. That’s what alerted us. ''

Drawing on the experience of Joël Maussion and Thierry Avrillon, who had already been present during the 1995 flood, the team decided to act as if the maximum level would be reached. Concrete block pallets, a sump pump, sandbags, dismantling and raising equipment: everything was put in place.

Improvised Flood Barriers

Handmade flood barriers were installed in front of certain doors. They worked… partially. But water rose by capillary action through the slate walls of the old buildings, such as in the museum and Lazare House. “We did everything we could, but it was discouraging to see that the water was still getting through,” says Christophe.

During the night from Thursday to Friday, the water gained more than 10 centimeters. A particularly striking moment. “In the evening, we thought we had managed things. The next day, the water was above the doors. We wondered when it was going to stop.''

In total, about thirty fire doors, extremely heavy and expensive, were dismantled to prevent them from being irreparably damaged.

Emergency Relocation

The situation became critical for Lazare House and the Museum, which were affected by 15 to 20 centimeters of water. In coordination with Sister Marie-Luc Bailly, Sister Helen Anne, and the director of the EHPAD nursing home, a relocation solution was organized at the Marie-Thérèse de Soubiran residence. Nine adults and two children, including a baby, were temporarily welcomed there. “We could see in their eyes a real sense of relief at being relocated. ''

Difficult Consequences to Manage

Cutting electricity in certain buildings for safety reasons created other difficulties: no heating, no internet, no telephone. A temporary power supply had to be installed to restore power to the boiler room. The material damage is significant: floors, walls, electrical installations, and lasting humidity. “It will take at least six months to measure all the consequences. Some will appear over time. ''

Between insurance delays, the drying of the buildings, and the availability of contractors, the complete restoration will take time.

A Crisis Unit for the Future

With hindsight, Gaëtan Collineau emphasizes the importance of a formal organization. “From one flooding problem come dozens of others. We should have set up a crisis unit so we wouldn’t carry all the decisions ourselves.” This flood also raises questions about the recurrence of extreme climate events. What once seemed exceptional could become more frequent.

Remarkable Team Spirit

Despite the fatigue, the long days, and the constant pressure, one positive element remains: solidarity. “No one complained. We were in the rain placing sandbags, and everyone was there.” Members of the team even offered to remain reachable over the weekend in case of emergency.

The sisters expressed their support, locally and internationally. Messages arrived from around the world, showing the attachment to the place and the community. “We are very small in the face of nature.” The flood will have been a brutal reminder of the vulnerability of buildings to the elements. But it also revealed the strength of a team capable of acting with calm, professionalism, and commitment.

Today the time is for cleaning, drying, and assessment. Tomorrow will be the time for reconstruction—and preparation for future crises.