Since Thursday, October 17, at 6 a.m., the Haute-Loire department has been placed on Orange alert for the risk of rain and flooding, but also on yellow alert for thunderstorms. The Lignon Velay section goes into red flood alert at 10 a.m. The authorities are calling for caution in the face of a particularly intense rain-storm episode, which requires increased attention throughout the day.
The disturbance currently affecting the region could cause significant accumulations of rain, particularly in the east of the department. Forecasts predict rainfall that could reach 100 to 110 mm locally. This episode, coupled with the stormy weather expected at the end of the day, will increase the risk of flooding and flash floods.
In Haute-Loire, red vigilance “crue” is also underway for the Lignon Velay river since 10 this Thursday morning. The rains on Wednesday October 16 have already caused an initial reaction on the Loire and its tributaries. Orange vigilance “crue” also for the section “Loire-Vellave”yellow for Haut-Allier and Allier-Brivadois.
Several neighboring departments are also on alert. In the Alpes-Maritimes, as a precaution, all establishments welcoming young people, from nurseries to high schools, are closed this Thursday. In Gard and Lozère, school transport is partially suspended. These three departments, as well as Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Lot, Tarn, Aveyron and neighboring Ardèche, are also placed on orange alert for stormy rains and risk of flooding.
Red flood vigilance behavior advice:
- I stay at home and keep myself informed with the authorities
- I don’t use my car
- I don’t go pick up my kids from school
- I move away from waterways, low points and bridges and reach the highest point possible
- I take refuge upstairs, as a last resort on the roof, I do not go down into the basements
- I only evacuate on orders from the authorities, taking my emergency kit
The consequences to be expected
The prefecture informs via a press release that the very heavy rainfall expected is likely to affect human activities and economic life for several days.
She explains: “ Very significant flooding is possible, including in rarely flooded areas, across all the hydrological basins of the departments concerned.
Very significant accumulations of precipitation over short periods of time can locally cause torrential flooding of streams and ditches. Road traffic conditions can be extremely difficult across the entire network.
Risk of overflowing sewerage networks. Power outages of varying duration may occur. »
Brives-Charensac on alert
According to testimonies, the town of Brives-Charensac is on alert due to a significant flood of the Loire. Since 3 a.m., several deputies and two municipal agents have been mobilized at the town hall. An alert was sent to local residents during the night of Thursday. Currently, the Chartreuse bridge, which crosses the Loire, is blocked as a precautionary measure, as are access to the banks of the Loire on the right bank. The situation remains closely monitored by local authorities.
Photos of the Loire in Brives-Charensac and Chadrac this Thursday, October 17, in the morning ↓↓
