Record river levels, more evacuations: Latest on flooding in south-west France

Widespread disruption continues in the south-west of France with at least 25 more people evacuated overnight (Monday to Tuesday) and dozens of roads remaining blocked due to record flooding in five departments.

The flood alerts, which started after the heavy rainfall on Saturday, April 19, initially in Dordogne, Corrèze and Gironde, now also affect Charente and Charente-Maritime. 

Météo-France and flood monitoring service Vigicrues have flagged three rivers in particular for their high water levels since Saturday, April 19: the Dronne, Isle and Vézère.

The alert level was raised by state weather service Météo France for Charente and Charente-Maritime on Monday, joining Dordogne, Gironde and Corrèze on high (orange) alert. The river Dronne passes through both departments.

Read more: Natural disaster recognition in process for flooding in west France – what does it change for impacted homeowners?

Residents warned to stay home

In Périgueux (Dordogne), the river Isle reached a peak of 3.43m at 02:00 on Tuesday, surpassing the 3.37m record set in September 1993, states local broadcaster Ici Périgord. The river has since begun to recede in the area.

The prefecture asks residents along the Isle in Trélissac, Boulazac and Périgueux to remain at home and limit travel to essential journeys only. 

Despite a relatively calm night in comparison to Sunday night in Dordogne, the prefecture reported the evacuation of 25 people from a campsite in Saint-Astier overnight. 

The mayor of Saint-Astier, who herself took to the streets to warn drivers to turn back due to a submerged bridge, says people do not heeds the warnings.

"It's crazy: we tell people to go, not to cross bridges that are 80cm underwater, but they go anyway," Elisabeth Marty told France Bleu.

In total, 138 people have been evacuated across the department since Sunday.

On Monday morning, 1,100 homes were left without electricity but reports suggest that the situation has improved; however supplier Enedis has not confirmed this.

A new peak is expected further downstream in the west of the department on Tuesday evening, particularly around Mussidan. 

The river there is forecast to reach between 3.83 and 3.90m at around 19:00.

Flood warnings also remain in place for the Vézère (Corrèze and Dordogne) and the Dronne. 

Vigicrues described a “significant flood” in formation on the lower Dronne, with levels already above normal and generalised overflows likely.

Emergency evacuations

The Dordogne prefecture reports more than a dozen roads cut off and over 20 interventions by the sapeurs pompiers, albeit “primarily for reconnaissance” in order to monitor flood levels. 

Preventative evacuations on Sunday affected eight campsites and around 100 people. A minibus of 18 Austrian tourists, which attempted to drive down a flooded road - despite a sign indicating it was closed - also had to be evacuated.

Despite the disruption the flooding has caused, no injuries have been reported.

In Montignac (Dordogne), the Vézère overflowed into parts of the town, with residents using canoes to navigate floodwaters. 

In Léon-sur-Vézère, the mayor said the community was well prepared, calling the flood “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."

Météo-France continues to advise residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads and comply with local safety instructions.