Orange alert for violent storms and floods
Farmer reported swept away on his tractor but two kayakers found safe
Three people were reported missing after a storm sparked intense floods in Auvergne – with an orange storm and flood alert being issued for Auvergne Rhône-Alpes this afternoon.
This morning two of the missing people, two kayakers, were found safe but the third, a farmer from Brignon near Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire, was still missing and reports said he had been swept away on his tractor.
The orange alert has been called for the 12 departments in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes with forecasters saying a storm front will cross the region to the east, slowly bringing torrential rain, possible hailstones and fierce winds. The heavy rain is expected to cause floods.
Importantes inondations en Haute-Loire
Météo France had yesterday issued a yellow alert for storms and heatwave conditions from Gironde across to the Rhône valley and Lyon area but the slow-moving storm provoked heavy flooding in Haute-Loire. The storm brought several months’ worth of rain in a few hours.
Today’s orange alert runs from noon until at least 20.00 with people warned to stay indoors in the storm and not use telephones or electrical appliances. A yellow storm alert is in force across a large part of southern France from Franche Comté across to the Pays Basque.
