A month’s worth of rain in less than an hour floods parts of Brittany, France

A severe storm hit Brittany, northwestern France on Sunday, June 3 and Monday, June 4, 2018, dumping a month's worth of rain on the city of Morlaix in less than an hour. No injuries have been reported but the material damage is substantial.

The storm quickly turned roads into raging rivers and caused severe flooding across the department of Finistère. 

Stéven Tual, Meteo Bretagne meteorologist, said that around a month’s worth of rain fell in less than an hour. Morlaix received 52 mm (2 inches) of rain and Monts d’Arrée 70 mm (2.75 inches). Within 3 hours, Morlaix received two months' worth of rain.

Scientists working for Vigicrues, country's flood information system, said the storm has generated more rainfall than expected and that watercourses in the area are likely to increase further with more rain expected through Tuesday.

According to the Floodlist, the Jarlot river that runs through Morlaix jumped from 0.82 m (2.7 feet) at 06:00 CET on June 3, to 2 m (6.5 feet) by 18:00 on the same day.

This is the highest level of this river since measurements began. The previous record was 1.96 m (6.43 feet), recorded on February 6, 2014. 

Featured image: Storm over Brittany, France on June 3, 2018. Credit: Sandaille La Bataille - Couleurs, Météo Bretagne

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