12 Jun 2018 | 07:59 AM UTC
France: Disruptions in Paris region due to weather June 12 /update 2
Significant transportations disruption and thunderstorm alerts for 19 departments, including Paris region, June 12; seven injured in the derailment of a RER B train
Event
The meteorological authorities at Météo France have issued orange storm and rain alerts, the second-highest on a four-point scale, for much of the northwest and southwest of the country for Tuesday, June 12. A total of 19 departments are covered by the alerts as of Tuesday morning (local time), including the Paris region: Aisne, Ardennes, Eure, Eure-et-Loire, Île-et-Vilaine, Landes, Marne, Mayenne, Meuse, Oise, Orne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Sarthe, Paris and near suburbs, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Essonne, and Val-d'Oise. The alerts are expected to remain in effect until noon on Wednesday, June 13.
Due to these adverse weather conditions and consequent flooding, major traffic congestion has been reported on highways in the Île-de-France (Greater Paris) region, including on the A13, N6, and N4. On the A13, the highway linking Paris and Caen, a mandatory exit has been set up at Les Mureaux in the Paris direction, and at Poissy in the Caen direction.
In Essonne department, the RER B commuter rail line has been suspended between Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuses and Orsay-Ville, following the derailment of a train at Courcelle-sur-Yvette. The train derailed shortly after 05:00 due to a landslide. Rail traffic is also severely disrupted on RER A and RER E, and on several other Paris-region (transilien) lines. Disruptions are compounded due to the fact that rail workers are on strike June 12-13.
Additional air and rail disruptions, hazardous driving conditions, and power outages are possible in the coming hours.
Advice
Individuals in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts, confirm travel reservations, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.
Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded. Be aware that the risk of contracting water- and mosquito-borne diseases tends to rise after periods of heavy rains.
