Four French departments on orange flooding alert

The alert is for the Seine-Maritime, Eure (Normandy); and Pas-de-Calais (Hauts-de-France), as well as Gironde (Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

Météo France said: “During this period of high tides, overflows are expected in riverbanks, especially the Seine, the Garonne Dordogne confluence, and an episode of flooding waves in the English Channel.”

The alert is expected to last until at least Wednesday March 11.

On Twitter, the interior ministry reiterated the forecaster’s warnings.

It said: “Be careful, and check before you go out. Respect the deviations in place, and keep an eye on the rising water. Go indoors, and do not, under any circumstances, whether by foot or in a car, enter a flooded area. Secure any objects or belongings that risk being damaged.”