The recent floods in the French Riviera have resulted in the deaths of three individuals, extensive property damage, and transportation disruptions, prompting a state of emergency in the region.
Devastating Floods Claim Three Lives on French Riviera
Devastating Floods Claim Three Lives on French Riviera
Heavy rainfall and storms lead to fatalities and widespread destruction in southern France.
At least three individuals have tragically lost their lives due to floods triggered by severe rainfall and storms that swept through southern France starting Monday. Local authorities reported that the bodies of an elderly couple were discovered in Le Lavandou, a popular seaside resort, while another victim succumbed after becoming trapped in their vehicle in Vidauban.
The relentless downpour has caused significant destruction throughout the region, flooding streets and leading to severe water and power outages. Service disruptions were also reported, with at least two regional trains halting operations overnight due to damaged railway tracks.
The elderly couple reportedly attempted to evacuate their home but were caught off guard by the rapid rise of water levels. "Surprising and shocking" were terms used by officials to describe the devastating impact of the floods in the Cavalière district, which experienced an astonishing 256mm of rain within an hour. Mayor Gil Bernardi of Le Lavandou expressed deep concern over the catastrophic damages, highlighting roads being uprooted and bridges being dismantled.
By Tuesday, Le Lavandou continued to experience outages in electricity and water, as the town’s main access road remained inundated. Meanwhile, authorities in Vidauban confirmed that one individual perished after their car got trapped in a flooding ditch. A nearby good Samaritan managed to rescue one of the vehicle occupants, according to Vidauban's Mayor Claude Pianetti.
In recent days, emergency services in the Var region received more than 500 distress calls, leading to the mobilization of hundreds of rescuers from nearby cities, including Cannes. Following the initial heavy rainfall, Var has been under heightened emergency alerts for thunderstorms and flooding, although these warnings were later downgraded to a lower level.
Additionally, several homes in the area remain without electricity, and the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway route has suffered cancellations affecting train services for subsequent days. The continuing threat of long-term flooding has raised concerns among local residents and officials alike.
