The Saintes prison had to be evacuated under heavy police protection due to rising waters. Five French departments are still on “orange flood alert”.
The Saintes prison in Charente-Maritime was evacuated this Thursday due to flooding in the area. 142 prisoners were transferred to other prisons in France.
Residents of several neighborhoods in the city of Saintes also had to leave, while firefighters and police went door to door in threatened neighborhoods.
Five departments in the south-west of France are still under “orange” threat of flooding.
Heavy rains in recent days have only added to the soil moisture created by September and October rainfall. Result: the soil can no longer absorb water. It remains to be seen when the peak precipitation will be reached.