Firefighter swept away as deadly storm kills three
A total 25 departments remain on orange weather alerts, while Paris prepares for possible flooding
At least three people died as Storm Eleanor battered France, while a volunteer firefighters is missing after being swept away during a rescue operation.
Meanwhile, 25 departments remain on orange alert for flooding on Friday, while two are on avalanche watch, and Paris is putting measures in place in case the Seine floods.
National forecaster Météo-France has placed Doubs, Jura, Haute-Saône, Belfort Territory, Haute-Savoie, Savoie and Isère on alert for heavy rain and floods; while Ain, Ardennes, Corrèze, Dordogne, Eure, Gironde, Lot, Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Seine-Maritime, Vosges are on flood alert; and avalanche warnings also remain in place for Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
The recent severe weather left three people dead, including a woman in her 90s, who suffered a heart attack as her home in the Isère commune of Crêts-en-Belledonne was flash floods entered her home on Thursday. As reported skier in Haute-Savoie was killed by a falling tree the previous day.
In the same department, more than 80 people have been searching overnight for a volunteer firefighter was swept away in a raging torrent while working to rescue a family trapped on the roof of their car in Moutaret on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Seine in Paris reached 3.07m at Austerlitz with forecasts predicting that the waters are set to rise further, prompting authorities and utility companies to begin implementing 'preparatory measures' in case of flooding in the city.
Flood watchdog the Service de prévision des crues has raised the alert level in the capital to yellow.
Barrages are set to be deployed at key points along the river if the water level rises to 3.70m, while installations along the banks are being dismantled. Residents are also advised not to store valuable property in cellars and basements.
