Pas-de-Calais and Nord still on orange alert for floods

The departments of Pas-de-Calais and Nord remain under an orange flooding alert today (Wednesday, December 1), although the Lys river level has now begun to fall.

“The Lys plain remains on orange alert because water levels have stabilised at a high level,” Nord’s prefecture said in a statement, but “the rain which was forecast to fall overnight according to Météo France should not hinder the initial drop observed in upstream areas of the Lys.”

Yesterday afternoon, fire and rescue teams noted a very gradual reduction in the water level in the commune of Saint-Venant near Béthune (Pas-de-Calais).

Météo France’s orange warning particularly applies to Merville (Nord), where water levels remain high.

The orange alert will last until at least 16:00 this afternoon. You can follow the situation in closer detail on public information service Vigicrues.

Since Sunday, both Nord and Pas-de-Calais have experienced severe disruption as a result of the floods, with roads being blocked and water entering houses.

Nord’s fire and rescue teams have attended 103 incidents and evacuated 171 people.

On Monday morning (November 29), a woman in her eighties was found dead in her flooded cellar in Borre (Nord). The gendarmerie reported that she had fallen down the stairs and drowned, the water having risen to 80cm.

Do I need to do anything if there?

In the case of a flood alert, Météo France advises local residents to keep away from bodies of water and bridges, and not to drive down an even partially submerged road.

People should keep up to date with the weather conditions and instructions from their local authority, and should not go down into cellars or basements.

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