Heavy rainfall has created catastrophic conditions, as locals and authorities grapple with the aftermath of severe flooding in southern France.
**Devastating Floods Claim Three Lives in Southern France**
**Devastating Floods Claim Three Lives in Southern France**
Torrential rain and storms wreak havoc on the French Riviera, leading to a tragedy in Le Lavandou and Vidauban.
The sudden downpour in southern France has resulted in the tragic loss of at least three lives due to severe flooding and storms that have plagued the region since Monday. Local authorities reported that the bodies of an elderly couple were discovered in the coastal resort town of Le Lavandou. Another victim succumbed after becoming trapped in a submerged vehicle in Vidauban.
Residents were caught off guard as rain caused swift and unprecedented flooding that inundated streets and disrupted power and water services. Authorities noted that two regional trains were halted overnight due to damage on the railway tracks caused by the storms.
The couple in Le Lavandou attempted to evacuate their home but were overwhelmed when water levels skyrocketed unexpectedly, according to Toulon’s public prosecutor who announced that an investigation is underway. Local officials expressed shock at the catastrophic event that struck the Cavalière district, revealing that the town had received over 256 millimeters of rain in a single hour.
Describing the disaster, Le Lavandou’s mayor, Gil Bernardi, highlighted the destruction of roads and bridges while confirming that residents were enduring electricity and water shortages as access to the town remained restricted due to flooded main roads.
In Vidauban, tragedy struck when a vehicle drove into a flooded area, with a passerby managing to rescue the driver, but unfortunately, the passenger could not be saved. Emergency services have been inundated with over 500 distress calls in the Var region, prompting the deployment of rescue teams from cities including Cannes.
Following this disaster, Var was initially placed under severe weather alerts for thunderstorms and floods, which were later downgraded. Local officials reported that more than 600 households are still without electricity, while heavy rainfall and hailstorms continued to disrupt normal life across the region, particularly affecting transportation with cancellations along the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line.
Residents were caught off guard as rain caused swift and unprecedented flooding that inundated streets and disrupted power and water services. Authorities noted that two regional trains were halted overnight due to damage on the railway tracks caused by the storms.
The couple in Le Lavandou attempted to evacuate their home but were overwhelmed when water levels skyrocketed unexpectedly, according to Toulon’s public prosecutor who announced that an investigation is underway. Local officials expressed shock at the catastrophic event that struck the Cavalière district, revealing that the town had received over 256 millimeters of rain in a single hour.
Describing the disaster, Le Lavandou’s mayor, Gil Bernardi, highlighted the destruction of roads and bridges while confirming that residents were enduring electricity and water shortages as access to the town remained restricted due to flooded main roads.
In Vidauban, tragedy struck when a vehicle drove into a flooded area, with a passerby managing to rescue the driver, but unfortunately, the passenger could not be saved. Emergency services have been inundated with over 500 distress calls in the Var region, prompting the deployment of rescue teams from cities including Cannes.
Following this disaster, Var was initially placed under severe weather alerts for thunderstorms and floods, which were later downgraded. Local officials reported that more than 600 households are still without electricity, while heavy rainfall and hailstorms continued to disrupt normal life across the region, particularly affecting transportation with cancellations along the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line.
