France’s meteorological agency, Météo-France, has issued an orange alert for the Morbihan department starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 24, due to the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding caused by Storm Aven. In its latest bulletin, the agency stated, “The first wave of rain has already hit the UK late at night, but Morbihan has yet to experience the onset of precipitation.”
Currently situated over Ireland, Storm Aven has already caused significant disruption, with wind speeds reaching up to 183 kilometers per hour near Galway on the western coast, according to Ireland’s national meteorological service. Météo-France noted that the storm has brought persistent and occasionally intense rainfall to the UK, particularly on Friday evening, when it is expected to intensify further.
The agency warned that while the rainfall is typical for this time of year, the saturated ground conditions necessitate heightened vigilance. Between 20 and 40 millimeters of rain are forecasted during this period, with the heaviest downpours expected to subside by midnight.
Météo-France also indicated that the orange alert could be extended to other departments, especially those already under a yellow “rain-flood” alert. The impact of Storm Aven is not confined to France, as parts of Ireland and the UK have been placed under a red alert, underscoring the severity of the weather conditions across the region.
Residents are advised to stay updated through Météo-France’s official website and follow guidance issued by local authorities to ensure safety during the storm.
