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Europe floods: Natural disaster to be declared in France Europe floods: Natural disaster to be declared in France
(35 minutes later)
France is to declare a state of natural disaster in areas worst hit by flooding in recent days, President Francois Hollande says.France is to declare a state of natural disaster in areas worst hit by flooding in recent days, President Francois Hollande says.
The measure frees up funds, with some towns in central France suffering their severest floods in decades.The measure frees up funds, with some towns in central France suffering their severest floods in decades.
In Paris the Seine continues to rise, prompting the closure of a metro line running through the city centre.In Paris the Seine continues to rise, prompting the closure of a metro line running through the city centre.
Heavy rains across Europe have left at least 10 people dead, most of them in Germany.Heavy rains across Europe have left at least 10 people dead, most of them in Germany.
More downpours are forecast right through the weekend across a band of central Europe from France to Ukraine, with as much as 50mm (2in) of rain falling in some parts in just a few hours.More downpours are forecast right through the weekend across a band of central Europe from France to Ukraine, with as much as 50mm (2in) of rain falling in some parts in just a few hours.
'Totally under water' Louvre to close
After a day of respite on Wednesday in central France, the region is braced for a further rise in already exceptionally high river levels. Emergency barriers are being put up along the Seine, which burst its banks in places. Its levels are forecast to peak overnight.
The Loiret department, south of Paris, is on red alert, with seven others one level lower. The most-visited museum in the world, the Louvre, is closing on Friday as a precaution. Another major attraction, the Musee d'Orsay, is shutting its doors early on Thursday.
Nearly 10,000 homes are without electricity. Rail operator SNCF announced the closure of the RER C line, which runs alongside the Seine in central Paris from 16:00 local time (14: 00 GMT).
Prime Minister Manuel Valls visited the stricken town of Nemours on Wednesday. About 25,000 people are without power in Paris and central France.
Its mayor said 3,000 people had been evacuated from the town centre. In Nemours, 3,000 people have been evacuated from the town centre.
The town's Loing river, a tributary of the Seine, now has levels not seen since the devastating floods of 1910.The town's Loing river, a tributary of the Seine, now has levels not seen since the devastating floods of 1910.
"The centre of town is totally under water. All the businesses have been destroyed," said mayor Valerie Lacroute."The centre of town is totally under water. All the businesses have been destroyed," said mayor Valerie Lacroute.
Gwen Bonpaix, 18, who lives in Montcourt Fromonville, 5km (3.1 miles) from Nemours, told the BBC part of the village was flooded.Gwen Bonpaix, 18, who lives in Montcourt Fromonville, 5km (3.1 miles) from Nemours, told the BBC part of the village was flooded.
"The electricity doesn't work, and we can't use our toilet because the sewers are also getting flooded," she said."The electricity doesn't work, and we can't use our toilet because the sewers are also getting flooded," she said.
"My home hasn't been flooded yet, but the water has already reached the garden, and it's still raining. We're going to leave before we get stuck here.""My home hasn't been flooded yet, but the water has already reached the garden, and it's still raining. We're going to leave before we get stuck here."
Six weeks' worth of rain has fallen in three days in the Loiret department.Six weeks' worth of rain has fallen in three days in the Loiret department.
Other news from France:Other news from France:
No relief in sight - Jacob Cope, forecaster, BBC Weather Centre Germany 'mourning'
A large area of low pressure has been bringing heavy showers to much of Europe recently and this weather pattern shows no signs of shifting in the next few days. At least nine people have died in recent days in Germany, while several people are missing.
A large swathe of the continent from central France through Belgium, Germany through southern Poland to Romania, Moldova and Ukraine looks set for further heavy, thundery showers to end the week and through the weekend. "We are mourning those for whom help has come too late and who lost their lives in the floods," said Chancellor Angela Merkel.
These showers are likely to be slow moving and have the potential to be long-lasting with large hailstones, frequent lightning, gusty winds and flash flooding with as much as 50mm (2 in) of rain in some parts in just a few hours. The worst incident was in Simbach am Inn in Bavaria, southern Germany, where a woman, 78, her daughter, 56, and granddaughter, 28, were all found drowned in the basement of their house.
German deaths Another woman, aged 80, was found dead in the nearby village of Julbach, while a 75-year-old man was the latest to be found dead, in Simbach.
The deadliest incident was in Simbach am Inn in Bavaria, southern Germany, where a woman, 78, her daughter, 56, and granddaughter, 28, were all found drowned in the basement of their house. Earlier in the week, four people died in floods in southwestern Germany.
Another woman, aged 80, was found dead in the nearby village of Julbach.
A 75-year-old man was the latest to be found dead, in Simbach. Several people are missing.
Bavaria Governor Horst Seehofer promised speedy help, saying his state "won't abandon those affected, some of whom have lost their whole homes".
Earlier in the week, a firefighter died in the town Schwaebisch Gmuend while trying to rescue a flood victim, who also died.
In Weissbach, a man died when an underground garage was flooded, while a girl who took shelter from the rain under a bridge was killed by a train.
Other news from Germany:Other news from Germany:
Belgium has also seen heavy rainfall and has reported flooding in many areas, including around Antwerp, Limburg and Liege.Belgium has also seen heavy rainfall and has reported flooding in many areas, including around Antwerp, Limburg and Liege.
Do you live in the affected areas? Have you had to leave your home? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Do you live in the affected areas? Have you had to leave your home? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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