Severe Weather Hits Southeast France: Record Rainfall and Flooding

Five departments are on orange alert as relentless rains lead to historic flooding and emergency evacuations.

Météo-France has issued an orange alert for the Gard, Var, Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and Hérault due to heavy rain and flooding risks.
In Vidauban, Var, a record-breaking 119 millimeters of rain fell in just one hour, causing severe flooding and necessitating emergency evacuations.
Emergency services in the Var are on high alert, with over 70 personnel deployed for rescue operations, including the evacuation of 80 children from a leisure center.
The intense rainfall has caused significant disruptions, including road closures and rising river levels, with the Aille and Argens rivers experiencing critical surges.
The current weather episode is expected to persist through the weekend, exacerbating conditions in already saturated areas and requiring continuous monitoring.