Garonne River Flooding: Red Alert Issued as Water Levels Surge in Southwest France
A critical flood situation is unfolding along the Garonne River in southwestern France, with authorities issuing a red alert as water levels continue to rise rapidly. The river at La Réole, Gironde, has already risen by 2 meters in the last 24 hours, exceeding 8.30 meters as of 3:30 PM Thursday, and further increases are anticipated.
Rising Waters Threaten Communities
The Garonne River is currently experiencing a significant crue (flood), prompting evacuations and raising concerns about potential breaches of flood defenses. “If the water climbs to the top of the dike, that will be the start of the problems,” stated the mayor of La Réole, Bruno Marty, highlighting the precarious situation facing the community. Initial projections of a peak at 9 meters now appear likely to be surpassed due to substantial rainfall and high upstream flows.
Vigicrues Monitoring and Regional Impact
According to data from Vigicrues, the French flood forecasting service, the maximum water level in La Réole is now expected to fall between the levels seen during the floods of 2019 and 2021 – between 8.9 meters and 9.7 meters. The current situation extends beyond La Réole, impacting several other municipalities. A senior official with the regional environmental agency noted that the peak of the flood is currently anticipated in the night of Saturday to Sunday, but remains “difficult to predict” with certainty.
Beyond the Garonne’s red alert status, six additional river sections in the region are under orange alert, and ten are under yellow alert, indicating a widespread risk of flooding. The affected area stretches southeast from Bordeaux towards Agen, encompassing the communities of Langon (Gironde), Marmande, and Tonneins (Lot-et-Garonne).
Evacuations and Preparations
Preventative evacuations are already underway in vulnerable areas. In Montignac-Lascaux, Dordogne, authorities have begun evacuating residents, prioritizing those most at risk. “We started with the most fragile,” explained the mayor of Montignac-Lascaux, Laurent Mathieu, to Agence France-Presse on Thursday morning.
The Vézère River in Dordogne is also experiencing significant flooding, adding to the challenges faced by emergency responders.
Looking Ahead
The situation remains dynamic, and authorities are closely monitoring river levels and weather patterns. The unpredictable nature of the rainfall makes accurate forecasting challenging, and residents in affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and follow the guidance of local officials. .
