Paris Rains

Paris Rains Break a 50-year Record As Flooding Continues

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Some of the top tourist attractions are being affected.

JESS MCHUGH 

Record-breaking rains in Paris have caused rising Seine River levels, peaking Monday.

The amount of rain in the past two months surpassed records for rainfall in the past 50 years, according to Meteo France weather service.


Water levels reached a maximum height of 5.84 meters — 19 feet, 2 inches — on Monday, the Associated Press reported.

The floods have stretched to some of the surrounding towns near Paris, and some 1,500 people have evacuated their homes in the region, according to the BBC. Other residents are still without power.

Current floodwaters, while severe and damaging, are not as high as they were in 2016 when the Seine River reached a high of 6.1 meters, or about 20 feet.

Flooding has affected some of the city's top tourist attractions, including the water taxis. With the water levels so high, the boats have been unable to pass beneath many bridges.

The bottom level of the Louvre will remain closed until at least Monday, February 5, and the Musée d'Orsay and l'Orangerie were staying vigilant.

The entire city remains on alert, as water levels are expected to begin to recede next Tuesday.