As of January 3, 2024, the situation in half of northern France is volatile, with one department under a red alert for flooding, seven under an orange alert, and 27 under a yellow alert, according to Météo France. The Pas-de-Calais is the most closely monitored department, while the Finistère, Nord, Aisne, Ardennes, Meuse, Moselle, and Meurthe-et-Moselle are under orange alert. Additionally, several areas from Morbihan to Bas-Rhin, including Île-de-France departments such as Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, and Val-d’Oise, are under yellow alert.
Vigicrues defines a yellow alert as a “risk of flooding leading to localized damage or rapid and dangerous water rise, requiring specific vigilance especially for exposed and/or seasonal activities.” Recent rains have worsened the situation in these areas, particularly in the Marne region. Vigicrues warns that the rains from Monday night to Tuesday, as well as throughout the day on Tuesday, have led to moderate accumulations on already saturated ground, causing the levels of the Marne’s tributaries (Surmelin, Petit Morin, Grand Morin) and the Marne itself to rise. This rise could result in localized flooding, although Vigicrues notes that this is “typical for the season.”
As of 4:00 AM on January 3, 2024, the level of the Marne was at 3.55 meters, and it is estimated that this level could exceed 4.10 meters on Wednesday evening around 10:00 PM at the Gournay-sur-Marne station. This information is available on the official Météo France website, vigilance.meteofrance.fr.
