Three departments in western France—Finistère, Morbihan, and Ille-et-Vilaine—continued to face orange-level flood warnings on Sunday, January 25, 2026, as the lingering effects of Storm Ingrid kept rivers swollen and floodwaters slow to recede across parts of Brittany. Authorities reported that while heavy rainfall had eased, saturated soils and ongoing light to moderate precipitation were prolonging the inundation of homes, farmland, roads, and low-lying areas in the region.
Météo-France, the national weather service, maintained the orange vigilance for crues (floods) in these three departments into Monday, warning that "following the recent rains, the rivers of Brittany are at very high levels." The alert reflects a heightened risk of damaging overflows, even as water levels on major waterways showed signs of gradual decline after peaking over the preceding days.
Storm Ingrid, a powerful Atlantic depression that approached from the Bay of Biscay, battered Brittany from late last week through the weekend. The system delivered intense rainfall, gusty winds, and high waves, exacerbating an already delicate hydrological situation in a region prone to rapid river rises due to its Celtic granite geology and extensive river networks.
In Morbihan, aerial footage broadcast by BFMTV captured extensive flooding along the Oust River in the historic town of Malestroit. Gardens were completely submerged, streets turned into rivers, and numerous houses were encircled by brown floodwaters. The Oust crested at 3.18 meters on Friday before beginning a slow retreat. Nearby, the Nantes-Brest Canal, which typically maintains levels below 50 centimeters, surged to 2.70 meters on Saturday, flooding adjacent paths and agricultural land.
Similar scenes unfolded in Finistère, where the Laita River in Quimperlé rose dramatically by about four meters, overwhelming defenses and inundating parts of the town center. Local mayor Michaël Quernez reported that water levels on Quai Brizeux reached 4.47 meters earlier in the week, surpassing anti-flood barriers and necessitating evacuations of a dozen residents trapped in upper floors. Businesses along the riverfront suffered damage, with some premises left waterlogged as the river receded only gradually.
In Ille-et-Vilaine, the department's vulnerability was heightened by memories of severe flooding just one year prior in January 2025. Towns along the Vilaine and its tributaries, including areas around Rennes and downstream communities like Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon, activated protective measures such as temporary barriers and sandbagging to shield homes and enterprises. While not as dramatically impacted as coastal or southern Brittany rivers this time, saturated ground meant even modest additional rain risked renewed overflows.
Météo-France noted that soils across Brittany were already saturated from earlier disturbances in the week leading up to Ingrid, making the region particularly susceptible. The storm's heavy precipitation—often exceeding 50-100 mm in 24-48 hours in some spots—pushed multiple watercourses, including the Odet, Blavet, Laita, and Oust, beyond their banks. Vigicrues, the national flood monitoring service, reported ongoing damaging overflows on several stretches, with slow recession expected due to the lack of rapid drainage in the clay-rich and hilly terrain.
Beyond flooding, Storm Ingrid packed strong winds. Gusts reached up to 140 km/h (about 87 mph) on Saturday in exposed coastal and inland areas, toppling trees, damaging roofs, and briefly disrupting power in isolated spots. Two people sustained minor injuries from falling debris or wind-related incidents, according to local reports. Wave heights along the Atlantic facade climbed to 7-10 meters in places, prompting additional orange alerts for vagues-submersion (coastal submersion) earlier in the event, particularly in southern Brittany.
By Sunday, the depression had weakened and moved northeast, allowing winds to subside and rainfall to lighten. However, light to moderate showers persisted across the three departments, with accumulations of 10-30 mm possible through the day. Météo-France cautioned that this could delay full recession, and the orange crues alert would remain active until at least Monday morning. Forecasters also flagged a potential evolution toward renewed orange vigilance for pluie-inondation (rain-flooding) in Finistère and Morbihan if heavier bands develop Monday night into Tuesday.
Local authorities urged vigilance in flood-prone zones. Residents were advised to avoid driving through submerged roads, secure property, and follow updates from prefectures and Vigicrues. Emergency services remained mobilized, with firefighters conducting checks on vulnerable structures and assisting isolated households. In Malestroit and Quimperlé, cleanup operations began in receding areas, though full assessment of agricultural and property damage was pending.
Storm Ingrid fits into a pattern of increasingly intense Atlantic weather systems affecting western Europe this winter, driven by a strong jet stream and mild, moist air masses from the ocean. Brittany, with its exposed position, frequently bears the brunt of such events. The episode echoed previous floods in the region, including notable ones in 2024 and 2025, underscoring the need for ongoing investment in flood defenses, improved drainage, and early-warning systems.
As waters slowly ebb, attention turns to recovery. Farmers face potential losses from inundated fields at a critical time for winter crops, while homeowners and businesses assess structural impacts. Insurance claims are expected to rise, and regional officials may seek state aid for hardest-hit communes.
Météo-France's Sunday bulletin reiterated the call for caution: "Stay informed and follow safety instructions as conditions continue to evolve." With another perturbation forecast for the west of France in coming days, Brittany's ordeal from Storm Ingrid serves as a reminder of the region's exposure to extreme weather and the importance of preparedness in an era of climate-driven variability.
The orange alerts, while gradually lifting in intensity, highlight the prolonged risks that follow heavy rain events—risks amplified by saturated landscapes that turn even moderate follow-up showers into threats. As Brittany dries out, the focus shifts from immediate response to rebuilding resilience against future storms.
