France hit by torrential rains, floods

PARIS

Stormy weather and torrential rains in France have caused flooding in the northern part of the country in recent days, with the Seine River rising in Paris and bursting its banks on Wednesday.

The French national weather forecast agency, Meteo France, placed the Loiret and Seine-et-Marne departments, respectively to the south and east of the capital Paris, on red alert - the highest warning level.

Water level of the Seine river rose to 4.3 meters Wednesday. Local authorities have expressed fears that it could exceed the scale of the great 1910 floods (8 meters).

The Paris municipality warned residents and visitors to be vigilant Wednesday around the riverbanks, and said the high river levels were expected to last through Friday.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in the Pas-de-Calais region in the north. More than 80 roads across the country had to be closed, according to the Interior Ministry.

The French military assisted motorists trapped by the rising waters in several areas.

PARIS

Stormy weather and torrential rains in France have caused flooding in the northern part of the country in recent days, with the Seine River rising in Paris and bursting its banks on Wednesday.

Water level of the Seine river rose to 4.3 meters Wednesday. Local authorities have expressed fears that it could exceed the scale of the great 1910 floods (8 meters).

The Paris municipality warned residents and visitors to be vigilant Wednesday around the riverbanks, and said the high river levels were expected to last through Friday.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in the Pas-de-Calais region in the north. More than 80 roads across the country had to be closed, according to the Interior Ministry.

The French military assisted motorists trapped by the rising waters in several areas.