A month of rain in 24 hours: flooding alert in south-west France
Pyrénées-Atlantiques is being placed under an orange warning which will come into force overnight. 18 other departments are on yellow alert
The department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques is being placed under an orange alert for heavy rain and flash flooding tonight (September 28), as a stormy weather system moves in.
Météo France has warned that the rain will be especially intense around coastal areas, beginning this afternoon and lasting until tomorrow afternoon (September 29).
In the west of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 60-80mm of rain is expected to fall, with 100-110mm in some places.
This equates to a month of rain in less than 24 hours.
Around 20mm has already fallen over the department today.
Landes, Gers and 16 other French departments are also under yellow weather alerts for heavy rain, storms and flooding.
These departments are: Manche, Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes d’Armor, Nièvre, Côte d’Or, Territoire de Belfort, Saône-et-Loire, Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saône, Ain, Isère, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Cantal and Corrèze.
Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud are on a yellow warning for high winds and storms in the south of the island.
Do I need to do anything?
People in Pyrénées-Atlantiques should:
- Stay away from bodies of water and keep to high ground or higher floors
- Not begin driving down an even partially flooded road
- Avoid going out at all if possible
- Keep up to date with the evolving situation
- Keep out of basements and cellars
- Secure any possessions which could be damaged by potential flooding
People in areas under a yellow weather alert do not need to take any particular precautions, but should remain vigilant.
You can find out more on the Météo France website.
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