Severe floods hit Agen after two months’ worth of rain in just 3 hours, France
Image credit: Sud Oest
Lot-et-Garonne Department in southwest France was hit by record-breaking rainfall on September 8, 2021, inundating streets of the city of Agen with more than 2 m (6.6 feet) of water.
According to Meteo France, La Garenne station in Agen recorded 128.8 mm (5.07 inches) of rain between 19:00 and 22:00 LT on September 8, with as much as 80.5 mm (3.16 inches) in just one hour. The amount broke the previous 24-hour rainfall record set on February 12, 1990, at 74 mm (2.91 inches).1
Image credit: Meteo France
Image credit: Meteo France
Agen city government said streets were inundated with more than 2 m (6.6 feet) of water.
While no injuries or fatalities were reported, around 70 firefighters were deployed to around 130 incidents, mostly for flooded cellars or buildings.
Heavy rain was also registered in Aude Department where Caunes-Minervois registered 57.6 mm (2.26 inches) in just one hour, Carcassonne registered 55.6 mm (2.18 inches) of which 42.4 mm (1.66 inches) in one hour, Albi 47.9 mm (1.88 inches) of which 33.9 mm (1.33 inches) in one hour, and Toulouse 43.7 mm (1.72 inches) of which 42.1 mm (1.65 inches) in one hour.2
Lot-et-Garonne : des opérations de sauvetage liées à l’orage https://t.co/m9uiqBXSKW pic.twitter.com/ZTBXcWyeFQ
— Sud Ouest (@sudouest) September 8, 2021
#Météo L'alerte est levée mais de nouveaux orages sont attendus dès cet après-midi #orages #pluie #LotetGaronne #Agenhttps://t.co/DjiQM15FIj pic.twitter.com/XTipK5pf2B
— SO_Agen (@SO_47) September 9, 2021
[À LA UNE À 8H] Un record de pluies, l'équivalent de deux mois de précipitations en trois heures, se sont abattues hier soir sur Agen en Lot-et-Garonne, provoquant des inondations dans une partie de la ville mais sans faire de victimes #AFP pic.twitter.com/OtVxV4OxYn
— Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) September 9, 2021
#Agen #inondations #CharenteMaritime pic.twitter.com/bB4XoqOV2p
— miki (@elcartagenese) September 9, 2021
Certaines rues à #Agen sont complètement inondées suite aux fortes précipitations. Les canalisations n'arrivent pas à absorber le débit d'eau qui s'accumule et provoque ces inondations. #orages #orage #vigilanceOrangehttps://t.co/aDnPE1CGUS pic.twitter.com/sA93318Uvz
— MediaFrance24 (@MediaFrance24) September 9, 2021
References:
1 Agen, La Garenne, France rainfall data for September 8, 2021 – Meteo France
2 Aude region, France rainfall data for September 8, 2021 – Meteo France
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.