11 Jan 2022 | 01:48 PM UTC
France: Authorities maintain flood warnings for parts of southern and northern France through at least Jan. 12 /update 3
Further flooding possible in parts of southern and northern France through at least Jan. 12. Disruptions ongoing.
Event
Authorities are maintaining flood warnings across parts of southern and northern France through at least Jan. 12. In southwestern France, parts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions have experienced severe flooding Jan. 10-11. Although rainfall levels are forecast to ease, and some warnings have been downgraded, the threat of flooding remains due to high river levels and run-off from rainfall in the Pyrenees. Flood warnings are also in place across parts of Normandy, Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France, Grand Est, and far northern Centre-Val de Loire regions in northern France.
As of Jan. 11, Meteo-France has issued the following warnings across the affected area:
Orange flood warnings (the second-highest level on a four-tier scale): Hautes-Pyrenees, Haute-Garonne, Gers, and Tarn-et-Garonne departments in Occitanie Region as well as Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, and Pyrenees-Atlantiques departments in Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region.
Yellow flood warnings: across the rest of the affected area.
Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.
Severe flooding occurred in several parts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions Jan. 10 as several rivers broke their banks following heavy rainfall, including the Arrats, Ariege, Garonne, Gave d'Orlon, Hers-Mort, Leze, Pique, Salat, Sor, Tarn, and Vendinelle rivers. The flooding has caused disruption to transport, business, and power outages, as well as some evacuations across the region. Lingering disruptions are expected across the southwest in the coming days, even once floodwaters begin to recede. Reports indicate there have been two deaths believed to have been caused by the flooding, one near Castres in Tarn Department and one in Merville, Haute-Garonne Department. A few dozen residents were evacuated in the town of Saint-Beat in Haute-Garonne and hundreds of students were evacuated from a university campus on Ramier Island south of Toulouse. Hundreds of homes in Pyrenees-Atlantiques Department are without power. Train travel was heavily disrupted in the region Jan. 10 and some services remain limited as of Jan. 11, including on the Toulouse-Latour and Toulouse-Capdenac/Rodez/Mazamet lines. Dozens of roads across the region have been made impassable by floodwater.
Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger further flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil.
Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at regional airports. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.
Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites. Disruptions triggered by inclement weather and resultant hazards, such as flooding or avalanches, could persist well after weather conditions have improved; it could take days before any floodwaters recede and/or officials clear debris. If there is severe damage to infrastructure, repair or reconstruction efforts may result in residual disruptions.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather updates and related advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business appointments before travel. Make allowances for localized travel delays and potential supply chain disruptions where flooding has been forecast. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
