Dordogne and Corrèze on alert for flooding on Easter Sunday and Monday

Heightened flood warnings have been issued for both the Dordogne and Corrèze departments following heavy rain and remain in place for Easter Monday. Motorists in particular are advised to avoid affected areas.

The French weather service has announced lower-level (yellow) alerts for 37 other areas around France

The warnings follow persistent rain and thunderstorms that have caused rivers to swell, particularly in areas surrounding the Vézère, Loyre, Auvézère, and Céou rivers.

The water levels are likely to continue to rise on Sunday, with more rain forecast throughout the day.

Further flooding is likely on the Montignac (Dordogne) in particular, where the Vézère has already breached its banks warns the flood monitoring service Vigicrues.

“The lower Vézère is already experiencing significant flooding,” reports Vigicrues, “particularly in the Montignac area.”

The Dordogne prefecture warns drivers not to engage on potentially submerged roads near the Vézère, Dronne, Isle, and Céou rivers.

In addition to the orange-level alert for river flooding, both Dordogne and Corrèze have been placed on (yellow) alert for high winds.

A total of 37 departments are yellow alert for Sunday after the country was buffeted by rain and storms of varying levels of intensity on Saturday.

These other alerts are variously for the risk of avalanches in the Pyrenees and Alps, storms in the central regions and coastal flooding on the Atlantic coast.

The wet weather is likely to continue for much of France over the remainder of the long easter weekend.

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.”