In the Brittany region of northwestern France, water levels began to rise rapidly over the weekend. The flooding has already broken 40-year records, according to BFTMV.
In the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, named after its two eponymous rivers, the highest level of threat has been declared. In the city of Rennes, water levels reached half a meter, forcing 400 residents to leave their homes. Temporary shelters have been set up for evacuees in sports halls.
Dozens more people have been evacuated in the town of Guipry, located near the Vilaine River. By Monday morning, the river’s water level had reached 3.52 meters—just a few centimeters below the record set in 1981.
The flooding was caused by Cyclone “Herminie,” which struck France following Storm “Eowyn.” The latter had earlier brought heavy rains and caused significant damage in the British Isles. Waterlogged soils have only exacerbated the impact of the new rainfall.
Irish meteorologists described Storm “Eowyn” as one of the most powerful in recorded history. Its aftermath resulted in the death of one person.
