Péclerey avalanche of february 9th 1999
L'avalanche de Péclerey du 9 février 1999
Résumé
In recent European history, February 1999 was one of most catastrophic periods in terms of avalanche activity. Widespread avalanche activity occurred within two weeks across the Alps resulting in the death of about 70 persons and extensive damage to forests and facilities. In France, 12 people were killed on February 9 when a dry-snow avalanche descended from the Péclerey mountain and swept through the village Montroc (Haute-Savoie). This paper gives an overview on the meteorological conditions preceding the avalanche, with specific attention directed to an assessment of the period of return. In terms of snowfall, this period has been estimated at 5 years. This value contrasts with the period of return estimated for the avalanche, ranging from 150 to more than 300 years depending on the parameter chosen for characterising the avalanche. Several questions arise as how such a disaster reflects a shortcoming in the French procedures for avalanche zoning or is a typical example of extreme natural phenomenon.
Cet article fait le point sur la catastrophe de Montroc, où 12 personnes trouvèrent la mort dans leur habitation après qu'une avalanche, descendue de la montagne de Péclerey, a atteint une vingtaine de chalets. L'article présente les conditions d'occurrence et d'écoulement de l'avalanche. Une réflexion sur la capacité de prévision et de prévention est livrée en fin d'article.