Storms: 25 French departments under orange weather alerts

[Update June 23 at 11:30 - Six further departments - Cher, Corrèze, Creuse, Dordogne, Lot and Haute-Vienne - have now also been placed under an orange storm alert by Météo France.]

Some 25 departments from the Massif Central up to Grand Est are under an orange weather warning this morning because of storms which are forecast to begin later today.

The weather will deteriorate around midday in central-eastern France, and the storm will move north east over the course of the afternoon.

National forecasting service predicts a “violent” episode, with hail storms, heavy rain and winds of 70-90km/h.

In central and eastern areas, the storm will abate in the evening, calming in the north east overnight.

The departments concerned by the alert are: Cantal, Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire, Loire, Rhône, Ain, Jura, Allier, Saône-et-Loire, Nièvre, Yonne, Côte d’Or, Doubs, Haute-Saône, Haute-Marne, Aube, Vosges, Territoire de Belfort, Haut-Rhin, Marne, Ardennes, Meuse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle and Bas-Rhin.

Elsewhere, 42 departments in western, northern and southeastern France are under yellow alerts for storms.

Do I need to do anything?

People living in areas under the orange warning should stay away from bodies of water and shelter at home if possible.

Possessions which could be blown away or submerged should be secured.

Further information can be found on the Météo France website.

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