In brief
Storm Adam has unleashed severe flooding across southern France, leaving four dead and one injured after waters swept through streets and homes. The Bouches-du-Rhône region saw two women drown in a cellar, while a 4×4 vehicle was carried away in Corsica, claiming another life. Emergency shelters opened in towns such as Mouriès and Saint-Martin-de-Crau, and transport lines were grounded. French officials have mobilised emergency services and issued an orange wind warning for the north‑west as a new storm, Austen, approaches. The country also echoes a call for preparedness as other parts of Europe face the same threat.
A devastating outbreak of flooding has left four people dead in southern France after Storm Adam slammed the region with relentless rain.
In the Bouches‑du‑Rhône department, two women – an 86‑year‑old and a 26‑year‑old – were found drowned in a cellar before rescue teams reached the site. A separate incident on the island of Corsica saw a 4×4 vehicle dragged away by torrent waters, killing one occupant while the other escaped through a window. Authorities have yet to release details of the fourth fatality.
Dozens of residents in Mouriès and Saint‑Martin‑de‑Crau were taken to emergency shelters, with local officials reporting only one injury in the area. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed on X that roads and train lines were suspended, noting rising water levels that were unprecedented in the region. Prefect Jacques Witkowski expressed deep concern for those affected, announcing a high‑level mobilisation of resources to address the crisis.
While southern France grapples with the after‑effects of Storm Adam, another storm – Austen – is making its way from the Atlantic to the north‑west. Météo‑France has issued an orange‑level wind warning for Côtes‑d'Armor, Finistère, Morbihan, Ille‑et‑Vilaine and Manche, effective from late Thursday into Friday. Residents in these departments are urged to stay vigilant and heed official advice.
The wider Mediterranean has also been hit hard. Spain’s eastern coast saw at least three fatalities, with towns along the coast isolated by floodwater. Rescue teams have worked to recover bodies and support stranded residents, while the Spanish government announced a €23.5 million aid package for the impacted communities.
