The River Seine in Paris has risen to its highest level since 1982, forcing the city to close landmarks and parts of the metro system.
The Louvre Museum and the Orsay Museum closed as staff moved artworks to safety; they will remain closed until Tuesday. The Grand Palais Museum and the National Library also closed Friday. Flood levels have gone over 6 meters (18 feet), and will likely rise to 6.5 meters.
In Paris, several metro stations were closed in a precautionary measure while the river flooded the streets. Bridges closed and non-emergency boats were banned from the Seine. Locals estimate the rise of the river against the statue of the Zouave, a soldier, which stands below the Alma bridge. The water currently reaches his waist. During the 1910 floods, Paris was underwater for two months and the Zouave was up to his neck in water.
Officials say further evacuations may occur towns to the west of the French capital. Two people have been killed since the floods began. Insurance companies estimate the cost will be 600 million euros.
“The situation is still evolving hour per hour,” a deputy mayor of Paris, Colombe Brossel, stated during a news conference, adding that it will take a week or longer for water to return to normal levels.
