Four Departments on Orange Alert for Floods: Storm Herminia Hits Western France

The Affected Departments
Storm Herminia, sweeping across the western part of the country, has caused significant flooding. On Sunday, January 26, nine departments were placed on orange alert, with four specifically for flood risks: Calvados, Ille-et-Vilaine, Mayenne, and Orne.

Rapid Rise in Water Levels
As early as Saturday evening, rivers began overflowing in these departments. In Rennes, the Ille-et-Rance canal flooded several neighborhoods, trapping cars and homes underwater.

• In Rennes, an evacuation order was issued. The city opened two gymnasiums to accommodate those affected. “This is an unprecedented event in the last forty years,” said Nathalie Appéré, the city’s mayor, emphasizing that the situation could worsen with the rain forecast in the coming hours.

• In Calvados, the Dives and Orne rivers overflowed. In Mézidon Vallée d’Auge, a restaurant owner was forced to close his establishment due to flooding inside.

• In Mayenne, the river of the same name flooded towns like Changé, near Laval, where residents reported up to 40 cm of water in their gardens.

Historic Flood Levels
According to Vigicrues, water levels in some areas are comparable to the historic floods of May 1981 and January 1995. The situation may persist, as “repeated rainfall slows the recession of water levels and may cause further increases.”

Measures Taken by Authorities
Local authorities have activated crisis management centers to coordinate relief efforts. In Rennes, a Municipal Safeguard Plan has been implemented.

“The firefighters told us the water would keep rising until noon,” one resident testified, illustrating the growing concerns in the affected areas.