January 1910 Doubs river flood

The flood of Doubs river was the biggest flooding in the history of the Doubs river (France); the water rose up to nearly 10 metres above the usual level, January 21, 1910. The principal departements affected were the département of Doubs, the département of Jura and also the département of Saône et Loire. At least one person was killed, and many others may have been killed because of this flood.

Causes

In the beginning of 1910, a lot of floods damaged France: the flood of Seine river in Île-de-France, in Chambéry, Troyes, Morez and lot of other French cities were affected and the ports of Marseille and Toulon where decimates by an historical tempest.

In Franche-Comté, the most probable causes of this flood where a heavy rainfall in the region since the previous month; the ground could not retain more water. Another cause accentuated the situation: the snow melted because the temperature was exceptionally warm.

Cities and villages affected

The following list includes cities and villages officially damaged by the flood of the Doubs. The flood affected 112 cities or villages in Doubs, 33 in Jura, and 20 in Saône-et-Loire, so a total of 154 localities.

Municipalities of Doubs

Municipalities of Jura

Municipalities of Saône-et-Loire

The flood in Besançon

The city of Besançon was flooded in the old center and in the area of Battant. On January 18, 1910, the water rose to nearly 7 meters above the usual level, and 8.68 meters on January 20, 1910. The inhabitants were deprived of electricity and gas, and all bridges were closed. On January 21, 1910, the Doubs river reached 9.57 meters, nearly the usual level. The city was ravaged by this flood, but there were no fatalities in the city.