Pas-de-Calais Remains on Orange Flood Alert as Storm Austen’s Aftermath Continues
The Pas-de-Calais region remains on orange alert for ongoing rain and flood risks as Storm Austen's heavy rains are compounded by new precipitation from disturbance Boelo.
Key details
- Pas-de-Calais placed on orange alert from 8 PM Saturday to 4 AM Sunday for rain and flooding.
- Persistent rainfall, not just intensity, is the main concern according to Météo-France.
- New disturbance Boelo adds 30 to 50 mm of rain after Storm Austen.
- 120,000 homes lost electricity in the affected northern and western regions due to Austen.
Northern France's Pas-de-Calais department remains under an orange weather alert due to persistent heavy rainfall following Storm Austen, with new precipitation expected from the disturbance named Boelo. Météo-France placed the area on orange vigilance for rain and floods starting at 8 PM Saturday, with the alert lasting until 4 AM Sunday, to warn residents of ongoing adverse meteorological conditions. Boelo, moving from the British Isles, will bring additional rainfall totals estimated between 30 and 50 mm, which will add to the already significant precipitation caused by Austen. According to Météo-France, the primary concern lies not in the rainfall intensity but its persistence over several days, heightening flood risks in the region. Earlier reports noted 120,000 homes without electricity in parts of the West and North, emphasizing the storm’s significant impact. The alert aims to inform and prepare local populations for continued hazardous weather conditions needing caution and preparedness measures.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Start time of the alert
Sources report different start times for the orange alert
lemonde.fr
"L'alerte commence à 21 heures."
franceinfo.fr
"L'alerte commence à 20 heures."
Why this matters: One source states the alert begins at 9 PM while the other claims it starts at 8 PM. This discrepancy affects when residents should be prepared for the severe weather conditions.