New storm alert issued for parts of eastern France

Three eastern departments have been placed on orange alert for storms and heavy rain.

Predicted rainfall levels mean that parts of Isère (38), Savoie (73) and Haute-Savoie (74), which have been placed on alert, could also be hit by localised flooding, national forecaster Meteo-France said in its late-morning weather update.

Up to 100mm of rain could fall in local areas in a very short time, the forecaster said, adding that people in the area should also expect hail, strong electrical activity and high winds before the storms pass at about 4pm.

The latest alert comes a matter of hours after it had lifted an ongoing orange weather warning for storms in Allier, Cantal, Loire, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme.