While the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes were already on orange alert for storms from 6 p.m. on Wednesday 4 September, Météo-France extended the orange watch for storms and floods to ten new departments in southern and central France, in its latest bulletin at 4 p.m. These are Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Gard, Haute-Loire, Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Allier, Saône-et-Loire, Nièvre and Yonne.
The southern departments (Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse and Gard) are under double alert, while Auvergne and Burgundy are under orange alert for rain and flooding.
“The first storms hit the south of France, and in a short time between 50 and 70 millimetres fell in the Marseille region”specifies the meteorological organization in its latest bulletin. “From Haute-Loire to Yonne, an unstable rain axis will establish itself in the evening. The rain will persist until Thursday morning”adds Météo-France. Rainfall accumulations could reach “ from 50 to 70 millimeters and locally 100 millimeters, according to this axis ».
According to Méteo-France, “in the Mediterranean regions, [il y aura un] episode of locally intense rainfall that requires special vigilance.” The organization also warns against “episodes of heavy rainfall” in Auvergne and Burgundy. Stormy showers will be concentrated on Wednesday afternoon and overnight in the Gard departments in the Alpes-Maritimes. “Sometimes they will be intense [et] accompanied by strong gusts of wind and hail »is underlined.
