Flooding Alert: Essonne and Seine-et-Marne on Orange Watch, Seine River Rises in Paris, More Rain Expected
Paris, February 13 – The Île-de-France region is bracing for potential flooding as several rivers, including the Seine, experience significant rises in water levels. Following a series of depressions and the recent Storm Nils, two departments, Essonne and Seine-et-Marne, have been placed on orange vigilance alert (level 3 out of 4) by Météo France. This alert also extends to the western part of the Marne department and the southern part of Aisne.
Continuous Rainfall and Saturated Soils Contribute to Rising Levels
Vigicrues, the national flood monitoring service, reported that a succession of rainy episodes has affected the basin since the beginning of the week. Rivers such as the Brenne, Armançon, Serein, upstream Yonne, Loing, Ouanne, and the Île-de-France tributaries Morin and Yerres are all showing significant increases in flow. “Successive and abundant precipitations over recent weeks have created conditions conducive to flooding,” Vigicrues stated, adding that “since Monday, a series of disturbances has crossed the country from west to east, notably with the passage of Storm Nils. Rivers are therefore particularly reactive.“
The situation is compounded by saturated soils in many areas, which are no longer able to absorb additional water, exacerbating the risk of overflow. Currently, 21 departments across France remain on orange alert, with two on red alert (level 4 out of 4).
New Depression Brings Further Precipitation
A new depression bringing substantial rainfall is affecting the country today. Vigicrues detailed that “at this stage, the largest accumulations are mainly expected in Île-de-France and the Loing basin. The Yonne basins should be more spared.” This ongoing precipitation is expected to cause further swelling of certain waterways over the next 24 hours. Depending on the cumulative rainfall, Vigicrues warns that “the flood could become significant.“
Seine River Doubles in Height in Paris
While Paris itself is only on yellow vigilance (level 2 out of 4), the situation is notable. At the measurement station at Pont d’Austerlitz, the height of the Seine River has doubled in just two days. On Wednesday, it measured 1.30 meters at noon. By late Friday morning, it was fluctuating around 2.60 meters. Vigicrues currently predicts a height of 3.30 meters by Sunday. For comparison, during the 2018 flood, the Seine reached 5.88 meters, and in 2016, it exceeded 6 meters.
Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urge residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow official advisories. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.
