France’s flood emergency escalated on Monday as meteorological agency Météo-France placed a third department, Maine-et-Loire, under a red-level flood alert—the highest warning—joining Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne. This comes as relentless rainfall continues to drench large parts of the country, with over 90 departments under some form of weather vigilance.
Widespread Orange Alerts and Critical Warnings
In addition to the three red-alert zones, fourteen other departments have been issued an orange flood warning. The public in orange-alert areas is urged to exercise extreme caution: avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers and streams. In red-alert departments, residents are strongly advised not to use their cars, even for work or school runs. The official guidance is to take refuge on the upper floors of buildings and, as a last resort, on rooftops.
An “Unprecedented” and Record-Setting Situation
Minister of Ecological Transition Monique Barbut described the ongoing crisis as exceptional. “We have had 31 consecutive days of flood episodes. This is unprecedented,” she stated. The current floods follow severe inundations in Brittany at the end of January caused by Storm Ingrid.
Barbut highlighted a critical underlying factor: “Above all, since 1959, we have never had soils as saturated with water as they are now. This is something to think about.” Saturated soils significantly worsen flooding, a situation exacerbated by soil sealing from roads, parking lots, and urban development, which prevents natural water absorption. Climate change is also increasing the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall.
More Rain Expected, Peak Danger Looms
The situation is forecast to worsen. Minister Barbut, visiting the heavily affected Gironde region where the Garonne River has burst its banks, warned that “a new rise in water levels is expected between Wednesday and Thursday,” and that “the worst day is likely to be Thursday.” A new depression is set to cross the country from the west starting Tuesday afternoon, bringing significant additional rainfall.
With vigilance warnings expected to remain in place through Tuesday, authorities are bracing for a further deterioration in conditions across much of France.
