-
Thousands of litres of fuel spill into fields in Normandy after tanker overturns
Tests are being carried out into risk of pollution of local water supplies to homes
-
Speed limits to (mostly) drop to 30 km/h in this French city
The new measure will improve noise and pollution, improve safety and encourage cycling, say local authorities
-
Thousands of French parking fines cancelled after IT bug
The fines had been issued in error after IT system was privatised
Orange storm alerts issued in south-east France ahead of heavy rain
Drôme and Ardèche are expected to see up to 60mm of rain fall over an hour this afternoon. Conditions should improve as evening arrives
The departments of Ardèche and Drôme have been placed under orange weather alerts for violent storms today (August 30) by national forecaster Météo France.
A further 60 departments covering all but the far north and south west of the country have also been put on yellow storm warnings.
Weather conditions are currently calm over the two departments under orange alert, but there are some stormy showers over the north of the Massif Central and Centre-Val de Loire.
Conditions are expected to worsen in the early afternoon around Lyon, the Rhône valley, in the Alps and in Provence.
In Drôme and Ardèche, heavy rain is set to bring the most disruption, with 20-40mm falling over one hour and up to 60mm in some places.
There may be hail as well, but it is not expected to be as intense as the rain.
Isère, Vaucluse and Gard may also be impacted by the precipitation, but not to the same extent as the orange alert departments.
The storms are expected to abate this evening.
Related articles
‘Faire la pluie et le beau temps’: Our French expression of the week
Natural disaster status for 78 communes in Var, Loire and Corsica
Water restrictions: Fines systematically issued in south-west France