Orange flood alert remains for Gard and Hérault after heavy Mediterranean storm

Wednesday’s intense Mediterranean storm dumped up to a bathtub of rain per square metre in parts of the Gard, prompting orange-level flood alerts for Gard and Hérault on Thursday, according to Météo France. Vigicrues noted rapid flash floods of moderate to strong intensity in the Lez (Hérault), Vidourle (Gard and Hérault) and Vistre (Gard) catchments, while most water levels have begun to fall. The downstream Hérault river shows a weak rise, and the Bouches-du-Rhône remains on a lower yellow alert.

Heavy rains caused several rivers to overflow, flooding adjacent roads and leading to the closure of submersible bridges; schools were also shut. The prefect of Gard, Fabienne Decottignies, described the rainfall as equivalent to a bathtub per square metre. No casualties were recorded.