PARIS — France’s Prime Minister announced on Friday that firefighters and other first responders have carried out approximately 2,300 operations, some critical for saving lives, amidst what is being described as the most significant flooding event in 40 years in central France.

During his visit to the crisis center in Paris, Michel Barnier remarked on the unprecedented intensity of the rainfall that many residents had never experienced before. As a result of the flooding, over 1,000 individuals were evacuated from their homes, although the majority were able to return home on the same day.

Barnier commended the use of an alert system that was implemented for the first time, which successfully sent out text notifications urging residents in affected areas to reconsider or cancel their travel plans and to remain in safe locations.

According to Meteo France, certain regions, specifically in Ardeche and Lozere, experienced rainfall totals of up to 700 millimeters (27.5 inches) within a span of just 48 hours. This extreme weather led to disruptions in transportation as the national railway operator, SNCF, suspended regional train services between Lyon and Saint-Étienne on Thursday due to the tracks being rendered impassable. The company indicated that local train services would continue to face disruptions for the next several days.

Additionally, a primary highway connecting Lyon and Saint-Étienne was also affected by the severe flooding and remained closed on Friday. Although Meteo France lifted its red weather alert early Friday, the agency still advised caution, warning of possible further heavy rain and flooding in southwestern regions of France.