Overview
- The man, in his seventies, was swept away Sunday in Saint‑Vincent‑de‑Barrès after attempting to secure his car near the Rieutord river.
- More than 60 firefighters and about 50 gendarmes, including water‑rescue divers, are engaged with drones and a Sécurité civile helicopter.
- Searches were suspended overnight, the damaged vehicle was found several kilometres downstream, and operations restarted at first light Monday.
- Authorities report poor aerial visibility and fast, opaque currents with debris, and they urge residents to keep away from waterways.
- Ardèche recorded close to 300 mm of rain in less than 48 hours, orange alerts were lowered to yellow, and neighboring departments also saw disruptions.