Cars submerged, 1,100 without power: floods hit south-west france

THREE DEPARTMENTS ARE ON ALERT FOR FLOODING ON EASTER MONDAY AFTER WEEKEND OF HEAVY RAIN Update 22.04: Water levels are falling in most areas. Record high reached at Périgueux (3.43m). 138

people evacuated, including 25 at St-Astier on Monday. High (orange) alert for flooding raised in Charente-Maritime. Up to 1,100 homes in the south-west of France were left without power and

several villages remain submerged after a weekend of heavy rain and storms. The departments of Dordogne, Corrèze and Gironde have been placed on high (orange) alert due to flooding. The

weekend's persistent rain and thunderstorms caused rivers to swell in all three departments, including the Vézère, Loyre, Auvézère, and Céou rivers in particular. Motorists are advised

to avoid affected areas. The river Vézère burst its banks late on Saturday, submerging streets and vehicles in villages including Le Bugue, in Dordogne. Local media ici Périgord reported

that by Sunday morning, some cars parked in the town were almost entirely submerged. Firefighters in the department acted on some 28 callouts in connection with the flooding. "They came

with diving suits to tie up the cars," Le Bugue mayor Serge Léonidas told Sud Ouest.  "We had put up signs the day before, but people didn't heed the risks." Dordogne’s

deputy prefect Nicolas Dufaud told France Info that the majority of the call-outs were to remove stranded vehicles. “At this stage, there are no reports of casualties,” he added. However, a

total of 1,100 homes were without electricity on Monday morning due to trees falling on power lines the prefecture said. Also in Le Bugue, the Parc du Bournat amusement park has had to

remain closed on Monday. “The heavy rain has made our parking lots impassable, and we have to wait for the water to recede”, the park announced. “This is very bad for us”. In addition, a

total of 100 people have had to be evacuated from campsites in the department, notably further upriver in Terrasson.  In Montignac-Lascaux (Dordogne) the river rose nearly three metres in

just two hours — an unprecedented event, according to Montignac's mayor.  “It increased by 2.8m in two hours which is unheard of. I have never seen the river rise that fast,” Laurent

Mathieu told ici Périgord. Around 20 people had to be rescued from a bus after it became trapped by rising water. “Fortunately everything went well, the bus could have been swept away by the

water,” Mr Mathieu later told France Info. St Léon-sur-Vézère mayor Yannick Dalbavie told French media that the flooding was "more impressive than serious". "We are used to

dealing with flooding In our little village," he told Le Figaro. "Everything has been anticipated - there is no problem." Nonetheless, the Dordogne Secours Populaire has

launched an emergency plan to provide material aid “without condition of resources” and financial aid “according to the situation of those affected” and to make its volunteers available to

assist victims. WATER LEVELS START TO FALL IN SOME AREAS At Montignac, the Vézère had reached a height of more than five metres early on Monday, however it is expected to begin receding

before noon, according to the Corrèze prefecture. Elsewhere, the level of the Céou – which also flows through the Lot and Dordogne departments – has begun to fall, though authorities remain

concerned about the Dronne river.  The Dronne, which runs through five departments before joining the river Isle at Coutras (Gironde), is still rising, with water levels expected to peak

between 10am and midday today, April 21. Drivers are warned not to use certain roads near the Vézère, Dronne, Isle, and Céou rivers. Météo-France has urged residents to monitor updates and

follow public safety guidance, adding: “Dangerous weather is expected. Stay informed and observe any official instructions.”