Water levels along the Laïta rose to more than 4.4 metres in the town centre on January 21, overtopping flood barriers and forcing the first evacuations with help from firefighters.
Several residents were trapped in upper floors as streets became impassable and parked cars stood partly submerged.
Local authorities warned that water levels would remain high through the day, with no rapid improvement expected.
Emergency crews were mobilised in Finistère, Morbihan and Ille-et-Vilaine after the departments were placed on orange flood alert. Rain and high tides forecast for January 22 and 23 could slow the decline in water levels.
Located at the confluence of the Isole and Ellé rivers, Quimperlé has long been vulnerable to flooding. In the winter of 2013–2014, 20-year floods caused around €2 million in damage, hitting quays Surcouf and Brizeux hardest.
