As early as the 19th century, the town of Port-des-Barques acquired coastal protection which has been gradually altered in the course of storms. In February 2010, during storm Xynthia, more than 110 houses were severely damaged by marine submersions. Housing estates have been classified as a solidarity zone and then deconstructed. Globally, nearly 400 homes and several businesses were hit by the water.
Emergency work was undertaken and then a more global project to strengthen the municipality's protection system was included in the PAPI. It was able to see the light of day in advance of the entire protection strategy in the Charente estuary, since it had no impact on the overall hydraulic functioning of the estuary.
The developments, carried out under the contracting authority of the Departmental Council of Charente-Maritime, consist of, on the one hand, countering crossings above the dikes by strengthening the existing coastal protection and creating a counter-dyke to the east. The whole constitutes a complete containment system, protecting against a "Xynthia" type event. These structures will be entrusted for management to the Rochefort Océan Agglomeration Community, which is responsible for flood prevention.
The works were carried out in different phases, between 2013 and 2020.
In addition to the embankment system, the Rochefort Océan Urban Community in conjunction with the Town Hall of Port-des-Barques set up in 2018-2019 a drainage system on the land of the deconstructed subdivisions of Pied du Coteau and Tamaris. These low-lying areas near the town center receive residual water from flooding on dikes and urban runoff.
Earthworks were carried out and pipes were replaced to manage excess water without inconvenience and to allow a return to normal as soon as possible after a storm.
In support of the hydraulic function of the Pied du Coteau space, the communities have decided to initiate in January 2020 a redevelopment project consisting in repaying this public space and preserving the memory of the Xynthia event and the rights-of-way of the old ones. dwellings. The works were completed in December 2020.