A major flood of the Seine could affect nearly 5 million people in the Paris region and cause up to 30 billion EUR (33 billion USD) of direct economic damage, as reported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
This scenario has already taken place in 1910 and has one chance in 100 to occur again.
It is in this perspective that the Paris police prefecture has organized extensive management simulation of a flood of the Seine.
Named "EU Sequana 2016", this operation has aimed to spread a culture of risk with individuals and communities to set up warning systems and evacuation plans.
Simulation exercises that began Monday, March 8, 2016, will continue for two weeks.
They have mobilized 150 police officers, 900 rescuers and 87 institutions or companies (public assistance, Paris hospitals, electricity suppliers, transportation companies, telephone operators, etc.)