Paris floodwaters set to peak as more rain forecast

BBC - Floodwaters in Paris are forecast to peak on Friday with the River Seine due to reach 6m (19ft) above its normal level.

The world-famous Louvre and Orsay museums have been shut so staff can move priceless artworks to safety.

Flooding across France and Germany has left at least 11 people dead and forced thousands from their homes.

French President Francois Hollande said the weather was a serious climate phenomenon and a global challenge.

He is to declare a state of natural disaster in the worst-hit areas, which will free up emergency funds.

More downpours are forecast through the weekend across a band of central Europe from France to Ukraine

As much as 50mm (2in) of rain is expected to fall in some regions in just a few hours.

Several towns in southern Germany have been devastated and Belgium and Poland have also been affected.