Two days of torrential rain have caused major flooding in central France, leading to a significant emergency response effort. French Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, revealed that firefighters and other rescuers have conducted around 2,300 operations, with some being lifesaving missions. This flood event is being described as the most severe in 40 years in central France.
Barnier visited the crisis center in Paris and noted that the rainfall was unprecedented in the memory of many residents. Over 1,000 people were evacuated from affected areas, though most were able to return to their homes by Friday. The effectiveness of an alert system, which sent out text messages advising people to postpone or cancel travel plans and seek shelter, was highlighted by Barnier.
The French weather agency, Meteo France, reported that certain local areas in the regions of Ardeche and Lozere received up to 700 millimeters (27.5 inches) of rain within just 48 hours. In response to the extreme weather conditions, the national railway operator, SNCF, suspended regional train services between Lyon and Saint-Étienne due to impassable tracks. Local train services are expected to face disruptions for several days, with a main highway between the two cities also closed on Friday.
Although Meteo France has lifted its red alert for severe weather, there are still warnings of potential heavy rain and flooding in southwestern France. The flood event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and efficient emergency response in the face of natural disasters.