Torrential rain, gusting winds, and major flooding caused widespread travel disruption, prompting evacuations and a series of red weather alerts

More than 1,600 people have fled their homes in western France as a third major storm in a week brought record rainfall and extreme flooding.

Chantepie, Rennes, France Video Recording Date/Time6, 2025 Storm Herminia struck Rennes on Sunday, January 26, causing the worst flooding in 40 years and forcing the evacuation of more than 400 people.

Ligue 1 club Rennes announced Thursday the sacking of coach Jorge Sampaoli, with former Newcastle defender Habib Beye taking over the hotseat in Brittany until the end of the season.

Flood levels continue to rise in western France, inundating towns and cutting off roads. Much of the heavy rain was caused by Storm Herminia as it swept across western Europe recently. Rennes, the capital city of Brittany saw almost 200mm of rain through January which is three times the average amount expected at this time of year.

A succession of recent storms, including Storm Herminia, have caused severe flooding in western France. Residents have been forced to leave their homes by boat and helicopter. In Rennes, one of the worst affected places, around 400 people were taken to safety. The city's mayor said it was the most severe flooding in more than four decades.

Rennes are targeting Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath (21), according to a report this Tuesday from Foot Mercato. The struggling Ligue 1 club is looking at a raft of reinforcements

Habib Beye is the front-running candidate to replace the departing Jorge Sampaoli as Rennes head coach, according to reports from Le Parisien and Ouest-France. The former Newcastle and Marseille

Ligue 1 side Rennes signed Japanese international Kyogo Furuhashi from Celtic on Monday, with Portuguese forward Jota rejoining the Scottish champions.

Rennes have endured a poor season to date. They sit 16th in France's top flight, just four points clear of bottom side Le Havre. Kyogo joined Rennes from the Scottish Premiership

Fenerbahçe are looking to sign Rennes centre-back MIkayil Faye (20), according to Foot Mercato. The former FC Barcelona prospect could leave Stade Rennais

The Portuguese superstar was frozen out at the Saudi Pro Legaue club and played very little in the Middle East before an £8 million move to Rennes in France. Jota of Celtic celebrates at the final whistle as Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 in the Viaplay League Cup Final at Hampden Park on February 26,