At least three individuals have perished as torrents of rain and violent storms swept through southern France this week.
Tragic Flooding Claims Lives on French Riviera
Tragic Flooding Claims Lives on French Riviera
Severe storms lead to tragic fatalities and widespread devastation in southern France.
The coastal town of Le Lavandou experienced the worst impact, with local authorities reporting the discovery of an elderly couple's bodies who were swept away while attempting to leave their submerged home. Another victim was trapped in a vehicle in the town of Vidauban. This cascade of relentless rainfall has prompted significant destruction, including street flooding and extensive power outages. Authorities reported that overnight, rail transport was interrupted after tracks sustained considerable damage.
The Toulon public prosecutor revealed that the couple was overwhelmed by the rapid influx of water while trying to evacuate their residence. "The shock of this natural disaster in the Cavalière district is immense," expressed local officials, noting that the area received an astonishing 256mm of rain in just a single hour. Mayor Gil Bernardi of Le Lavandou illustrated the severity of the event by describing "roads torn up" and "bridges broken apart," labeling it as a "violent and incomprehensible phenomenon."
On Tuesday, residents of Le Lavandou were still reeling from the consequences, with continuing electricity and water outages affecting day-to-day life, while the town's access routes remained cut off due to flooding. In Vidauban, one person's tragic death occurred when a car was swept into a ditch as it drove onto an inundated road; a passerby managed to rescue the driver but could not save the passenger, according to town mayor Claude Pianetti.
Emergency response teams have been very active, with over 500 calls made to local services within a span of 24 hours. Rescuers from nearby cities, including Cannes, have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts. Although the Var region was initially under emergency warnings for thunderstorms and flooding, they were subsequently reduced to a lower alert level. Even so, more than 600 homes are reportedly still without power as the community grapples with the aftermath of this disaster. In southwest France, heavy rains and hailstorms are reported to have affected the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line, leading to the cancellation of several train services in the days ahead.
The Toulon public prosecutor revealed that the couple was overwhelmed by the rapid influx of water while trying to evacuate their residence. "The shock of this natural disaster in the Cavalière district is immense," expressed local officials, noting that the area received an astonishing 256mm of rain in just a single hour. Mayor Gil Bernardi of Le Lavandou illustrated the severity of the event by describing "roads torn up" and "bridges broken apart," labeling it as a "violent and incomprehensible phenomenon."
On Tuesday, residents of Le Lavandou were still reeling from the consequences, with continuing electricity and water outages affecting day-to-day life, while the town's access routes remained cut off due to flooding. In Vidauban, one person's tragic death occurred when a car was swept into a ditch as it drove onto an inundated road; a passerby managed to rescue the driver but could not save the passenger, according to town mayor Claude Pianetti.
Emergency response teams have been very active, with over 500 calls made to local services within a span of 24 hours. Rescuers from nearby cities, including Cannes, have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts. Although the Var region was initially under emergency warnings for thunderstorms and flooding, they were subsequently reduced to a lower alert level. Even so, more than 600 homes are reportedly still without power as the community grapples with the aftermath of this disaster. In southwest France, heavy rains and hailstorms are reported to have affected the Bordeaux-Toulouse railway line, leading to the cancellation of several train services in the days ahead.
