Severe Flooding in Western France Prompts Evacuations and Emergency Responses

Three departments are under red alert for exceptional flooding as storms Herminia and Ivo bring record rainfall and rising river levels.

Ille-et-Vilaine, Morbihan, and Loire-Atlantique are in red alert due to historic flooding, with levels not seen in over 40 years in some areas like Rennes.
Authorities have evacuated hundreds of residents, including an elderly care home in Bruz, and opened shelters for displaced individuals in affected areas.
The Vilaine River and its tributaries have reached critical levels, surpassing records from past decades, with further rainfall expected to exacerbate conditions.
Storm Herminia has caused widespread infrastructure disruptions, including road closures, train cancellations, and power outages affecting thousands of households.
Meteorologists warn of additional rainfall and strong winds from the approaching storm Ivo, potentially worsening the ongoing crisis.