Violent storms for south west

EIGHT departments in the south west are on alert for ‘violent storms’ set to strike tonight.

Residents of the Charente, Dordogne, Landes, Gironde et Lot-et-Garonne, Creuse, Vienne and Haute-Vienne should be vigilant as the storms hit later today.

Strong gusts of winds up to 100kph, hail and heavy rain (up to 30mm in an hour) are expected.

The riskiest period is 19.00 until Saturday morning at 04.00.

The storms are set to begin in the Golfe de Gascogne tonight and spread across Aquitaine, the Limousin and the east of Poitou-Charentes.

Wider areas will be affected but not to the same intensity as the departments on alert.