Storm Kirk Causes Severe Flooding in Eure-et-Loir and Seine-et-Marne
Storm Kirk has wreaked havoc across the regions of Eure-et-Loir and Seine-et-Marne, leading to a red alert for flooding as heavy rains continue to impact the area. The aftermath of the storm has left local authorities scrambling to address the crisis, with numerous homes affected and power outages reported.
In Eure-et-Loir, the city of Épernon has reported significant flooding, with water levels rising to alarming heights. Mathieu Ana, the head of communications for Épernon, stated, "This Thursday morning at 10:30, we already had around fifty interventions in progress or to come. Around fifteen streets are completely blocked by water, which has risen to impressive levels, sometimes up to 1 meter in private homes." Emergency services have opened a gymnasium to shelter evacuated residents, while approximately 200 individuals have been directly impacted by the flooding.
Meanwhile, Courville-sur-Eure has experienced mudslides and flooded basements, with water levels reaching up to 1.50 meters. Jennifer Le Gaz, director of services for the town, noted, "This is the first time we've seen this here, according to the old members of the town council." The municipality is preparing to file a natural disaster recognition request as the situation remains precarious with the Eure river still rising.
In Seine-et-Marne, the situation is equally dire, with the region under a red alert for floods. Over 67,000 homes have lost electricity due to the storm, and the risk of "strong to exceptional" flooding on the Grand Morin River has prompted warnings from local authorities. A tragic incident off the coast of Sète resulted in one death and another individual in critical condition after boats capsized in rough waters.
The Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, has urged the public to remain vigilant, stating, "These episodes are likely to repeat themselves. We are at a time when climate change is having a concrete impact on our daily lives." The government has mobilized resources to assist in recovery efforts as rainfall continues to affect transport and infrastructure across the regions.
Residents in affected areas are advised to limit travel and stay informed through local authorities as the situation develops. With rainfall expected to persist, the threat of further flooding looms large, underscoring the urgent need for community preparedness and resilience in the face of climate change.
