Over 1,000 evacuated as Ille-et-Vilaine and nearby regions face unprecedented water levels and risks of new flooding.
Severe flooding has wreaked havoc across western France as storms and heavy rainfall continue to batter regions particularly hard hit, including Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, and Morbihan. Météo-France, the national weather service, has maintained its highest alert level, ‘vigilance rouge,’ across these departments as water levels rise to alarming heights.
Since Sunday, over 1,000 people have been evacuated, including residents of health and social care facilities. Remarkably, authorities report no fatalities, which is relieving news amid the crisis. This alarming weather event follows earlier storms named Eowyn and Herminia, with the latest storm, dubbed Ivo, expected to exacerbate the flooding situation on Wednesday.
According to reports from the préfecture of Ille-et-Vilaine, numerous communities are facing dire conditions, with 32 municipalities activating their emergency response plans. The situation has become so severe, as described by department president Jean-Luc Chenut, who stated: “There are thousands and thousands of hectares of flooded meadows. All streams are overflowing, and all water bodies are at their maximum. It’s a crisis of great magnitude across the affected land.”
One location particularly under scrutiny is Redon, situated between rivers, marshes, and canals. The area’s close proximity to these water sources heightens the risk as authorities monitor the rising water levels closely. Recent reports indicated water reached 5.25 meters on the Nantes-Brest canal, nearing the historical record of 5.56 meters from the 1995 floods.
Redon’s mayor, Pascal Duchêne, warned: “We expect to hit the peak of flooding on Wednesday during the day. The decline of water levels will be slow, and the city will be unable to resume regular activities for several days.” Due to these concerns, multiple educational institutions have closed until Friday.
Another area of concern is Guipry-Messac, situated 50 km south of Rennes, where journalists find dozens of homes surrounded by water, and many streets rendered inaccessible without high boots or boats. The mayor’s comments echo the urgency of the situation: “A historic peak of flooding is expected with water rising dangerously.”
At the same time, Rennes, traversed by the Ille and Vilaine rivers, is encountering its most severe flooding in over four decades. Nathalie Appéré, the mayor of Rennes, reported: “About 100 houses have been damaged, impacting around 15,000 people, some indirectly, as basements and lower levels face inundation. The coming days could bring worse flooding than we have already seen.”
Météo-France has noted unprecedented rainfall for January this year, surpassing 178 mm, marking the highest recorded since the weather station opened in 1944. This alarming statistic amplifies the sense of urgency and indicates the severity of this crisis.
While the rain is expected to continue, François-Noël Buffet, the Minister delegated to the Interior, declared on social media the initiation of the expedited process for recognizing the state of natural disaster. This move is aimed at accelerating the relief process to assist those impacted by the floods.
Across the region, the response continues to evolve as authorities keep communities informed and safe. With the weather presenting no signs of improvement, vigilance remains high, and citizens are urged to stay indoors, avoid flooded routes, and keep abreast of the situation.
The current crisis is more than just another weather event; it’s captivating the attention of regional and national authorities, illustrating the real and pressing impact of climate and weather changes on everyday lives. The next few days will be pivotal as communities brace for the current threats and begin to assess the damage and recovery efforts.
