French flood misery continues

River traffic was suspended on the flooded Seine in Paris

LYON, France -- Record rainfall has continued to cause flooding in low-lying areas of northern and eastern France.

Flood alerts were issued after a dozen major roads were blocked on Friday in Lyon, France's second biggest city, which lies at the confluence of the rain-swollen Rhone and Saone rivers.

The Rhone swelled during the day to hit a peak level just under its 3-metre (9 feet) alert mark and the Saone reached 2 metres above its alert mark of 3.5 metres.

Police said 460 houses in the region were flooded. Forty houses were evacuated on Thursday afternoon, including a retirement home with 11 residents.

Riverside roads in the Atlantic coastal town of Quimperle, which was flooded earlier this year, were under water again.

More flooding was expected early next week in Quimperle when high winter tides will push seawater up the river.

In nearby Bruz, 74 patients were evacuated from a health clinic.

In Paris, river traffic was still suspended on the Seine, which has flooded embankment roads and stranded house boat owners.

Sightseeing river tours have been cancelled all week.

Heavy rains will continue after a short pause on Saturday, weather service Meteo France has forecast.

The floods were the latest to hit France after an unusually mild and rainy winter which has left groundwater reserves at maximum levels across the country.

March rains have reached three times the average level and showers and drizzle continue unabated.

Reuters contributed to this report.

France hit by record floods
January 8, 2001
More flooding feared in France
January 5, 2001

Meteo France

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