Floods in Southern France: Death Toll Rises as Storms Cause Widespread Damage
At least three people have lost their lives in floods caused by heavy rainfall and storms that have battered southern France since Monday. The BBC reports that the bodies of an elderly couple were found in the seaside resort town of Le Lavandou, while another person died after becoming trapped in a car in Vidauban, local authorities reported on Tuesday.
According to the BBC, the rains have caused widespread damage across the region, flooding streets and causing power and water outages. At least two regional trains stopped their journeys overnight after railway tracks were damaged. The couple who died had tried to leave their home but were swept away, "surprised by the very rapid rise in water levels", the Toulon public prosecutor said, as reported by the BBC.
An investigation has been opened into their deaths. "We are in shock at the scale of the natural disaster that struck the Cavalière district this morning," officials in Le Lavandou said, according to the BBC. They said the town centre had been inundated by 256mm of rain in just an hour. The town, about 30km (18 miles) east of St Tropez, is a popular holiday destination along the French Riviera.
"It was a truly violent, nasty, incomprehensible phenomenon," said local mayor Gil Bernardi, describing "roads torn up" and "bridges broken apart", as quoted by the BBC. Le Lavandou was still suffering electricity and water outages on Tuesday and access had also been restricted as the town’s main road remained flooded.
Meanwhile, officials further north in Vidauban said one person had died after the car they were in drove onto a flooded road and fell into a ditch. A passer-by tried to save both occupants – the driver and the passenger – but was only able to rescue the driver, Vidauban’s town mayor Claude Pianetti said, as reported by the BBC. More than 500 calls have been made to emergency services in the Var region over the past day, authorities said. Several hundred emergency rescuers have also been deployed to the region, including from nearby cities like Cannes.
The BBC reports that Var was placed on further emergency warnings for thunderstorms and flooding on Tuesday morning, but these were later downgraded to the lowest level. More than 600 homes remain without electricity, local authorities said earlier. Heavy rains and hailstorms had struck south-west France on Monday night. The Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line has been affected with some trains on the route cancelled for the next few days.
The situation in southern France remains dire, with many residents and tourists affected by the floods and storms. The BBC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. According to local authorities, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and it may be some time before the region returns to normal.
In a statement, local authorities said: "The situation is still critical, and we urge everyone to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of the emergency services." The BBC understands that the French government has deployed additional resources to the region to support the relief efforts.
The floods and storms have highlighted the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events. As the climate continues to change, the risk of such events is likely to increase, and it is essential that authorities and residents take steps to prepare and respond to these disasters. The BBC will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
As reported by the BBC, the impact of the floods on the local community has been significant, with many residents forced to evacuate their homes and businesses affected. The town of Le Lavandou is a popular tourist destination, and the floods have dealt a significant blow to the local economy.
The cause of the floods is attributed to the heavy rainfall and storms that hit the region on Monday. The BBC reports that the rainfall was intense, with 256mm of rain falling in just an hour in the town centre of Le Lavandou. The rapid rise in water levels caught many residents off guard, and the consequences were devastating.
In the aftermath of the floods, the focus is now on recovery and rebuilding. The BBC understands that the French government has pledged support for the affected communities, and a fund has been set up to help residents and businesses affected by the floods.
The floods in southern France serve as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events. The BBC will continue to provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.
