16.06.2010 0

Provence & Cote d’Azur: Death and destruction as up to 250mm of rain falls yesterday

Var deluged in rain-lashed PACA

France Metéo's orange alert may have been lifted this morning but yesterday’s torrential rains across the PACA (Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur) region have left a trail of death and destruction in their wake. Worst hit was the Var department with 150 to 250mm of rainfall recorded in many places.

Seven people are believed to have lost their lives and others are reported missing.

Toulon International Airport had to cancel flights and many roads were closed with an area between Hyères on the coast and the inland town of Draguignan being particularly badly affected. Even the fire station at Draguignan was flooded.

The suddenness and violence of the storms caused havoc on the railways with four TGV trains and their passengers being forced to spend the night at Nice station because of flooding at Carnoules in the Var. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi dispatched two of his councillors to dispense around 100 meals to the stranded passengers.

Although the rain was heavy in the Alpes-Maritimes, it was not enough to deter 40,000 fans who headed to Nice for last night’s AC/DC concert in the Nikaïa, although some clearly changed their minds as the police had been told to expect 45,000. CL

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