Orange flood alert for much of Brittany and the Paris area

Fifteen departments in the north-west and centre of France have been placed on orange alert for heavy rains and floods this weekend.

The departments are: Eure-et-Loir, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne, Morbihan, Orne, Sarthe, Paris, Yvelines, Vendée, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne and Val-d'Oise

French weather service Météo-France said it expects heavy rainfall that requires “special vigilance due to its extensiveness”.

The rain is expected to begin around midday today (October 2) over Brittany, before intensifying and spreading across the Pays de la Loire and further east towards the Paris basin.

An orange alert means “be very careful”.

Météo-France offers the following advice to anyone living in an affected area:

• Stay away from waterways and low-lying areas, and take shelter in higher areas or on upper floors of buildings if necessary
• Do not go onto roads that are even partially submerged in water
• Stay informed of news and monitor the rise in water levels
• Try to avoid travelling where possible
• Do not go down into basements
• Keep belongings out of waterways and take note of where your emergency kit is (if you have one)

For more information see Météo-France’s website here.