Severe flooding has gripped northern France following heavy rains from storms Eowyn and Herminia, with multiple rivers overflowing their banks. Since Saturday, January 25, 2025, various waterways across the northern half of the country have surged dangerously high, leading to widespread warnings from Météo France.
The floods were triggered by significant precipitation linked to the passage of storm Eowyn, which was then compounded by the arrival of storm Herminia on Sunday morning. According to Météo France, ten departments have been placed under orange alert as the situation intensifies especially across regions like Ille-et-Vilaine, Mayenne, Calvados, and others.
Rennes, the capital of Brittany, has seen dramatic scenes as streets were evacuated due to rising waters, with residents hastily protecting their homes using sandbags and makeshift barriers. The local crisis unit was activated, and gymnasiums were prepared as potential shelters for displaced residents, amid fears of worsening conditions.
Monitoring bodies such as the Service Central d'Hydrométéorologie et d'Appui à la Prévision des Inondations (SCHAPI) have reported nine river stretches under orange alert and thirty-five under yellow alert as the rains continue. Rivers like the Orne, Dives, Mayenne, and Vilaine are experiencing particularly high levels, with expectations of continued rises through the day. "Les précipitations importantes prévues dimanche matin ainsi que dimanche soir vont générer des nouvelles réactions des cours d'eau," warned SCHAPI.
By Sunday afternoon, Meteorologists noted already alarming conditions across the Mayenne, with several areas surpassing peak levels from floods back in February 2014. Roads, basements, and gardens have been inundated, with flooding reports indicating significant water levels, especially near Château-Gontier, where local forecasts predict additional flooding impacts.
'The first peaks of flooding are being registered around Mayenne and Laval,’ reports Vigicrues, adding, “Sur l’ensemble de la Mayenne, les pluies en cours et à venir ralentiront la décrue du cours d’eau, voir engendreront de nouvelles hausses suivant les secteurs.” The Oudon river, too, was placed on alert due to rising waters expected to overflow overnight.
Across the region, local emergency services, including firefighters, have become heavily involved with various rescue and relief operations. Notably, forty-four firefighters were mobilized across key areas such as Saint-Jean-sur-Mayenne and Laval to manage the flooding crisis effectively.
The storm Herminia is expected to bring even more violent winds, with gusts reaching up to 152 kilometers per hour already measured at the Pointe Saint-Mathieu. The weather warnings have contributed to growing concern and preparedness among local residents and officials alike. Météo France has amplified warnings across departments, including Finistère and Morbihan, indicating the seriousness of the floods.
Experts assert preparations are necessary, as the flooding’s impact on communities is anticipated to escalate if rains persist. Local leaders encourage residents to remain vigilant and comply with safety measures enforced by authorities. Evacuations and emergency drills are being executed as part of proactive community management strategies.
Once the storms clear, recovery and rebuilding efforts will ensue, but for now, the primary concern remains the immediate threat to life and property as communities brace for what lies beyond this immediate deluge. Observers eye the clouds ominously as the forecast indicates more rain to come, underscoring the urgency for safety measures as the flooding crisis evolves.