Significant Damage Caused by Floods in South France
Heavy rains blasted the south east and the Cote d'Azur region in particular
For the third time in around a month and a half storms have raged in the south of France, causing wide spread flooding and damage across the region. Sadly, newspaper Le Figaro have also reported one fatality so far due to the weather conditions.
In Saint Blaise in the Alpes-Maritimes area, just to the north of Nice, the death of 32 year old woman was reported. Council President General Eric Ciotti stated: "I have just been informed of the death of St. Blaise of a young woman buried due to a landslide caused by heavy rains".
"A dozen firefighters and 15 policemen took turns but the lady was taken by the mud and it was difficult to grasp and pull. For an hour and a half, people have tried to get her out but when they managed it was too late" said Denis Mottier, Commander of the Gendarmerie of Nice, on France Info radio.
Traffic was badly effected in the city of Nice yesterday, as it came to a stand still for around two hours outside the airport. Flights were delayed, diverted and cancelled as no landings or take off's were authorised as the airport was closed for two hours. Around 86 municipal buildings were effected by flooding.
Firefighters are busy trying to repair damage caused, dealing with fallen trees, tiles and roofing damage and flooded cellars. The orange alert issued by Meteo-France is still in place for eight departments: Ain, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Isere, Jura, the Var and the Cote d'Azur.
