France's recent 'exceptional' rainfall has led to severe flooding, prompting red alerts in three départements. The Garonne River's overflow has caused significant damage, with homes and villages submerged. Hydrologists warn that the soil is already at record-breaking saturation levels, making the situation even more critical.
Météo France has announced that the red alerts will persist in Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, and Maine-et-Loire on Wednesday, while the number of counties under orange alert will decrease. Minister for the Ecological Transition, Monique Barbut, has stated that a state of emergency will be declared once the floods subside, expediting insurance claims.
The frequency of such events has been a concern for climate activists, with Barbut emphasizing the need for adaptation policies to enhance resilience. Lucie Chadourne-Facon, director of Vigicrues, highlights the 'exceptional' nature of the rainy disturbances, noting that even minimal rainfall can trigger floods due to the soil's saturation.
Vigicrues reports ongoing 'damaging flooding' on the Garonne River downstream from Agen, with significant impacts in the Marmande and Gironde regions. Water levels are expected to rise again on the lower Garonne, and officials predict major flooding on the Maine and Loire rivers later this week.
This crisis follows a series of storms in Portugal and Spain, resulting in fatalities and mass evacuations. While scientists haven't yet attributed the floods to global warming, they acknowledge the relationship between warm air and increased moisture. The EU's scientific advisors are urging Europe to prepare for a 3C hotter world by the end of the century, a scenario that France's adaptation strategy aims to address, targeting a 4C global warming threshold.
