States of Emergency Declared in France and Germany amid Rising Floodwaters

Tens of thousands evacuated as deadly floods sweep through France and Germany

French President has declared a State of Emergency in the areas devastated by floods, while German authorities declared  the “disaster alarm,” said reports.

Extreme rain events have triggered widespread flooding from Bavaria, Southern Germany, to Paris, France, killing at least a dozen people and destroying or damaging thousands of properties, roads and other public infrastructure.

The most affected city has been Nemours, south of Paris, where around 3,000 people were forced to flee their homes after the floods.

Soldiers have been deployed to help emergency personnel rescue stranded residents and motorists.

Meteo France, the country’s main weather agency, has put Paris region and six other departments on orange alert, the second-highest warning level on risk of floods, while the Seine-et-Marne department has been put on red alert.

The River Seine was forecast to peak six meters (19ft) above its normal level – the highest level since the 1910 Great Flood of Paris.