France: Four Departments on High Alert for Severe Weather
The French authorities are maintaining a maximum alert status across four departments due to severe weather conditions and rising water levels, as the country experiences record rainfall and heightened flood risks.
The Garonne Threatens the City of Bordeaux
Flooding from the Garonne River poses a direct threat to two neighborhoods in Bordeaux. The mayor, Pierre Hurmic, announced the activation of the emergency response plan for the first time since 1999. He emphasized that Storm “Pedro,” coinciding with high tide, intensifies the flooding risk in the city.
Emergency Measures to Protect Residents
In response to the impending danger, local authorities have implemented several precautionary measures: the cancellation of riverbank markets, the closure of schools for student safety, and the opening of emergency shelters for the homeless and vulnerable individuals.
Persistent Rains Worsen the Situation
France is witnessing a historical record of 35 consecutive days of rainfall, leading to flooding that has affected entire villages and resulted in the closure of numerous roads and rail lines. Météo-France highlights that saturated soils can no longer absorb additional rain, exacerbating the danger posed by upcoming storms.
Maximum Alert and Orange Vigilance
In this context, four departments remain under a maximum alert status: Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, Maine-et-Loire, and Charente-Maritime. Furthermore, approximately twenty other departments along the Atlantic coast are placed under orange vigilance due to strong winds and high wave heights.
Record Levels in Saint
In the municipality of Saint, the level of the Charente River could reach 6.50 meters, which is only 30 centimeters below the record level set in 1982. More than 2,000 homes have been affected by the flooding, with half of them submerged, illustrating the severity of the threat should the rainfall continue or water levels continue to rise.
