Flooding Crisis in France: The Aftermath of Storm Kirk
The aftermath of Storm Kirk has left parts of France grappling with severe flooding, particularly in the departments of Eure-et-Loir and Seine-et-Marne, which remain on red alert as of October 11, 2024. The torrential rains brought by Kirk have caused rivers to swell, with the Loir reaching a historic high of 1.83 meters, surpassing levels seen during the devastating floods of January 1995. Emergency services have been actively engaged, conducting over 860 interventions to safeguard residents and manage the flooding crisis.
Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Alerts
As floodwaters begin to recede, the prefecture of Eure-et-Loir reported a gradual return to normalcy, although the situation remains critical in certain areas. In Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture indicated that the expected rainfall from the depression forecasted for October 12 should not exacerbate the current conditions. However, residents in places like Crécy-la-Chapelle continue to face challenges, with many still dealing with psychological impacts from the flooding. The Ministry of the Interior has reported one serious injury and eleven minor injuries attributed to the storm and subsequent flooding.
Historical Context and Community Impact
Residents like Catherine Bouvet, who have lived in the region for decades, expressed disbelief at the severity of the flooding, noting that such high water levels have not been witnessed in over 40 years. The prefect of Eure-et-Loir emphasized the unprecedented nature of this event, citing both the intensity and scale of the floods as surprising. Meanwhile, in Haute-Saône, a mini-tornado caused additional damage, highlighting the widespread impact of the extreme weather conditions across France.
