Western France placed on heightened river flooding alert
Three rivers face increased warnings as more rain set to fall in coming days
Heavy rainfall in the west of France has led to several warnings. Archive photo shows warnings in the Dordogne department following river flooding in 2021
Collette Worley/Shutterstock
Departments in western France continue to face heightened river flooding warnings following heavy rainfall in recent days.
The Vendée and Deux-Sèvres departments have joined Morbihan on a tier-three orange warning for river flooding, lasting until at least the end of Wednesday (February 11).
Sections of the Sèvre nantaise (Deux-Sèvres) and Lay (Vendée) rivers face the highest risk, states official flood watchdog Vigicrues.
They joined the Blavet (Morbihan), which has already been placed at a heightened risk level and was one of the rivers that saw flooding during January.
The river burst its banks in the Inzinzac area following rainfall yesterday afternoon.
Several other rivers in western France remain at a lower tier-two yellow alert for flooding.
Persistent rainfall is expected in western France this week leading to concerns that further flooding will take place.
State forecaster Météo France is warning that roads may be closed due to flooding.
Rail services may also be disrupted, and power outages are possible, the forecaster adds.
Residents in the impacted departments should engage in safe practices such as avoiding driving on flooded roads, staying on higher ground where possible, staying out of basements/cellars, and keeping up to date with local information.
They should also have an emergency kit prepared for the event of severe flooding, displacement from their home, or a power cut.
