Dramatic photos of flooded Paris as the Seine overflows

Keith Wagstaff
Updated

In Paris, the Seine is flooding. 

After heavy rains, the river's water level hit around 16 feet on Tuesday, a city official told The Washington Post. It could reach 19.5 feet by the end of the week. On a normal day, it's about 6.5 feet. River cruises and the commuter rail line that runs along the Seine have been shut down. It's the worst flooding since 2016, when rising waters forced the Louvre to shut down as museum workers crated works of art and moved them upstairs. 

The flood emergency level is currently at "orange," the highest warning below "red." It's not quite the worst flooding Paris has even seen. Back in 1910, the Seine rose to 28 feet, submerging the City of Lights for two months. 

According to Le Monde, Paris received 7.2 inches of rain during the period from Dec. 1 through Jan. 21, which is double the normal amount for this time of year. 

The Seine has turned into a powerful muddy torrent that has submerged parks and footpaths alongside its channel that runs through the French capital, while river boats are no longer able to pass under the city's bridges.
The Seine has turned into a powerful muddy torrent that has submerged parks and footpaths alongside its channel that runs through the French capital, while river boats are no longer able to pass under the city's bridges.

Image: LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty Images

A man holds his shoes in his hands as he walks through the Seine after it burst its banks in Paris.
A man holds his shoes in his hands as he walks through the Seine after it burst its banks in Paris.

Image: CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images

A tree and street lights on the tip of the flooded Île de la Cité.
A tree and street lights on the tip of the flooded Île de la Cité.

Image: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images

Flood of the river Yerres, in the south of Paris. Montgeron, Crosnes, Yerres and Brunoy are among the towns affected by the flood of this river, a Seine river tributary.
Flood of the river Yerres, in the south of Paris. Montgeron, Crosnes, Yerres and Brunoy are among the towns affected by the flood of this river, a Seine river tributary.

Image: Michel Stoupak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The flooded banks of the Seine. Walkways next to the river banks have also been closed.
The flooded banks of the Seine. Walkways next to the river banks have also been closed.

Image: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images

A man pulls a boat near the river Yerres.
A man pulls a boat near the river Yerres.

Image: Michel Stoupak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The flooded Seine at night.
The flooded Seine at night.

Image: THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images

Science editor Andrew Freedman contributed reporting. 

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