Louvre moving some artwork as floodwaters rise in Paris

Some artworks at the Louvre in Paris will be moved to protect them from possible flooding after the Seine burst its banks following days of torrential rain.

The works in vulnerable locations will be evacuated to higher levels as the Louvre responds to rapidly rising floodwaters in the French capital, according to the famed museum’s Twitter account.

The Louvre will be closed to the public Friday, the museum tweeted.

The downpours are forecast to continue through the weekend, following days of heavy rains that have proved deadly in France and Germany.

A technician assesses flood damage on railway tracks in Paris on Saturday, June 4. The rain-swollen Seine river receded Saturday for the first time in a week after nearing its highest level in three decades.

The Zouave statue at Pont de l'Alma, which serves as a measuring instrument for water levels, is partly submerged by the Seine on Friday, June 3.

Staff of the Louvre post signs on June 3, informing visitors about the closing of the famous museum due to flooding in the city.

Plastic boxes containing artworks are placed between sculptures for safe-keeping in an exhibition hall at the Musée du Louvre on June 3.

An employee of the Musée d'Orsay moves artwork to protect it from the flooded Seine river on June 3.

A man maneuvers through a flooded street in Nemours, south of Paris, on June 3.

Residents are evacuated from their homes in Nemours on June 2. Water from the Loing River flooded the streets of the French town.

People leave their home in Longjumeau on June 2.

An aerial photo shows flood waters around the 16-th century chateau of Chambord on June 2 after the Cosson burst its banks.

A man rides a bike through a Paris street flooded by the Seine on June 2.

People wait in a Nemours gymnasium after evacuations.

A replica of the Statue of Liberty faces the overflowing Seine in Paris on Wednesday, June 1.

Two women try to enter their flooded home from an inflatable raft in Montargis on June 1.

France hit by floods

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State of natural disaster

France is to declare a state of natural disaster for the areas worst affected by flooding, French President Francois Hollande told French media Thursday – a move that will release emergency funds to local authorities.

Meteo-France, France’s national meteorological service, said the worst-affected waterway was the Loing River, a tributary of the Seine.

Waters from the Loing flooded the streets of Nemours, a town about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Paris, on Thursday.

Emergency workers crossed the town in rescue boats, evacuating residents from their homes.

Visiting the town Thursday, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls promised to start an emergency support fund for affected areas, “because they’re going to need help.”

“Nemours is not a rich city. There are people living here, in the city center, who have very small incomes,” he said.

Seine rising

While the waters from the Loing were beginning to recede, according to Meteo-France, those of the Seine are expected to continue to rise.

A suburban commuter train line in Paris, the RER C, was partially closed Thursday due to rising waters that have flooded riverside cafes in the capital and prompted authorities to urge caution around riverbanks.

The Seine’s levels are expected to peak Friday, officials said.

Why is France on strike again?

CNN’s Lindsay Isaac and Claudia Rebaza and journalists Tatiana Reiter and Anais Furtade contributed to this report.