Heaps of tiles and slates laid on the ground here and there. In the village of Crocq in Creuse, we find this kind of small clusters everywhere, whether at the foot of the chapel or in the courtyard of the castle. Since the hailstorm in early June, the municipality has been trying somehow to heal its wounds.
– Marius Delaunay
Tarpaulin roofs
The storm caused a lot of damage in the south-east of Creuse, and Crocq is also one of the most affected municipalities. According to the town hall, nearly nine out of ten homes were hit by hailstones, sometimes the size of tennis balls. And since then, it is therefore necessary to repair urgently. Sometimes by repairing the few broken tiles by the dozens. But above all, most often by installing tarpaulins, for lack of time to replace everything.
– Marius Delaunay
At the castle of Crocq, almost 2000 square meters are still covered. After having taken all the necessary steps with the insurance, the owner is now waiting for the start of the renovation work. “It’s still long“, estimates the chatelaine. She hopes that the construction sites will be able to start before winter. “But we must also be aware that others will not have this chance“, she confides. “For others, it’s much more complicated.“.
Lagging works
At the town hall of Crocq, for example, it is estimated that the damage to the municipal buildings affected (chapel, primary school or even the town hall) exceeds the 500,000 euros. Without a precise date for the start of construction, since the local artisans are already overwhelmed by requests.
– Marius Delaunay
Insurers are also moving in the same direction. “We still have nearly 200 cases in progress“, says Jean-Baptiste Monbureau, of Thélem assurances in Crocq. “Craftsmen were already in high demand before, but now it’s the cross and the banner to find one who can make quotes on time“.
For many individuals, it will therefore be necessary months or even years for work to begin on their roofs.