Storm set to hit north-west France
Road closures and flooding already underway in Brittany
Three Breton departments are under orange weather warnings as Storm Ingrid approaches - the trajectory is still uncertain
PS Gemino/Shutterstock, VIGILANCE METEO FRANCE
A storm is expected to bring strong gusts and heavy rain to Brittany tonight (January 22-23) due to a low-pressure system moving in from the Atlantic.
Storm Ingrid, as named by Météo France, is set to hit the tip of the Breton peninsula, however its trajectory and evolution are still uncertain, says the state forecaster in its latest bulletin, published shortly before 10:00.
An orange weather warning for flooding is currently in place for the departments of Finistère, Morbihan and Ille-et-Vilaine, and is set to be maintained until Friday (January 23). This follows yesterday’s heavy rainfall across much of the region.
The north-western coastal departments may experience strong winds and further rain tomorrow, and orange alerts for vagues-submersion (wave-flooding) “cannot be ruled out,” reports Météo-France.
Waves measuring 8-9 m could hit the Breton coast, states La Chaîne Météo, alongside gusts reaching up to 110 km/h, with 80-90 km/h inland and in Normandy.
Waves could also reach up to 7 m along the northern coast of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and 6 m further south in the region.
Flooding and road closures in Brittany
The water levels of three rivers (the Oust, the Laïta and the Blavet) are currently under orange alert and being monitored due to the cumulative rainfall and risk of flooding.
The Laïta river (Finistère) has burst its banks after rising to nearly 4.23m (as of 05:00), approaching previous record flood levels.
Six departmental roads closed last night due to flooding as were several streets in Quimper yesterday morning. Quays in the riverside town of Quimperlé also flooded.
Traffic diversions have been put in place and locals can receive live alerts via Inforoute29.
Water levels along the Odet (Finistère) are beginning to drop and the river has been downgraded to a yellow flood alert.
Rivers in the neighbouring departments of Côtes d'Armor and Ille-et-Vilaine have reached initial flood levels, including the Vilaine river, upstream from the city of Rennes, reports BFM.
Temperatures will also drop slightly in most regions across France, expected to be lower than seasonal averages in the coming days.
