The heavy rains that affected part of the Southeast on Wednesday morning, October 15, especially caused “urban runoff” near Nice and caused road closures, but without causing casualties or major damage, at midday. Five departments in southeastern France, the Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Lozère, Gard and Ardèche, are under an orange watch for storms or floods by Météo-France, due to the risk of an autumn episode in the Cévennes.
By mid-morning, the Alpes-Maritimes experienced very significant rainfall, particularly in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, near Cannes, where 102 millimeters of rain were recorded. On social networks, images show streets in the city center completely flooded.
According to the prefecture, “urban runoff” took place in the city, without causing any casualties. In Pégomas, in the interior, river overflows were also observed. A person surprised by rising water while he was in his car was rescued by firefighters from the same town. The departmental roads in this area had to be closed to traffic.
Since 7:30 a.m., the city of Nice had preventively closed parks, gardens and beaches. By midday, the storm cells were heading towards Mercantour and the Roya Valley, but they should not stop.
Interruption of rail traffic between Alès and Langogne
In Var, precipitation, “locally intense”could give “Specific accumulations of 80 to 120 millimeters in just a few hours under less mobile storms, facilitating runoff”before fading at the end of the day. Authorities recommend limiting travel and warn against “significant runoff [qui] It can occur due to soil dryness..
“Do not cross fords, submersible bridges or underpasses, or on flooded roads”the prefecture specified, remembering that “30 centimeters of water is enough to wash away a car”.
In Lozère, Météo-France recorded 97 millimeters of rain in Rousses overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. In the Cévennes, widespread accumulations of “200 to 300 millimeters” are expected in the relief, with “aim for 350 millimeters, or even more” within forty-eight hours, at the end of the day Thursday, warns the meteorological agency. these rains “It will temporarily weaken overnight, but will reactivate on Thursday”add the same source.
In the Gard, the accumulations expected on the plains are 50 to 100 millimeters and 100 to 200 millimeters in the relief of the Cévennes (and locally 250 millimeters in the Aigoual), depending on the prefecture. Submersible bridges have been closed to traffic and school transportation could be suspended on Thursday, authorities warned.
The SNCF decided on Wednesday morning a total interruption of rail traffic between Alès (Gard) and Langogne (Lozère), until Friday morning. “for the safety of travelers and in order to avoid any incident”. “This line closure is a precautionary measure against bad weather”explained the SNCF guard service to Agence France-Presse.
