Seven departments of south-west France still on orange weather alert

[Update January 11 at 10:30 - Gironde has now also been placed under an orange weather warning for floods.]

Seven departments in south-west France remain under an orange weather alert for high river levels and flooding this morning (January 11) after heavy rainfall.

The affected departments are Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers and Haute-Garonne.

This comes after Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne and Ariège were placed under a red weather alert for heavy rain and/or flooding yesterday (January 10), as river levels rose rapidly across the Pyrenean region.

This caused widespread flooding, road and rail disruption. A woman in her 70s was found dead.

Read more:South-west France floods: one death, power cuts, transport disruption

Under an orange weather alert, people are advised to stay away from rivers and other bodies of water and bridges, and not to drive down an even partially flooded road.

Météo France recommends that you follow updates on the situation and move any valuable possessions upstairs if you live near a waterway.

Do not go down into cellars or basements.

The orange alert is set to last throughout the day, but you can follow the evolution of the situation on state information service Vigicrues.

Some 40 other departments are also under yellow weather alert for high river levels and avalanches.

Related articles

Schools and roads closed as flash floods hit south-west France