Storm Gloria continues in France as more rain forecast

Authorities in the Pyrénées-Orientales (Occitanie) have confirmed that 23,000 homes remain without power today (Wednesday January 22), and several departmental roads are still closed.

A safeguarding plan has been started in Argeles-sur-Mer as water levels pass the usual warning thresholds, and the area is on alert for flooding at any moment.

Town mayor Antoine Parra told public news serviceFranceInfo: “I am worried for the next few hours. The waters are rising. The Massane [river], which runs through the urban part of the commune, is growing considerably. At this pace, it will start to cause problems very quickly.”

The department as a whole is still on orange alert for intense rain, flooding, and - at high altitudes - a risk of avalanches, after more than 40cm of snow fell overnight in some mountain areas.

The coastline is also on yellow alert for high sea levels and dangerous waves - with intense “mousse” waves reported in Banyuls-sur-Mer in France, and in northern Spain.

More rain is expected on Wednesday afternoon, with as much as 250-300mm forecast on the coast between Argelès et Cerbère. Up to 150mm of rain is expected elsewhere in the east of the Pyrénées-Orientales, and 40-60mm expected in the west.

Forecaster Météo France said the rain would “fluctuate in intensity” but that rainfall was expected to continue “until Thursday morning”, especially towards the south of the Aude.

The “intense Mediterranean episode” is the most severe seen in winter since 1982, Météo France has said, and in Spain, four people have died in incidents linked to the storm.