[REVISION HISTORY]

Extreme flooding and tornadoes in southern France

Updated 10 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-30 15:15 UTC → 2026-09-30 18:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By September 30, the exceptional Mediterranean weather event in southern France had escalated to include severe storm activity and tornadoes. The Gard and Hérault departments were placed under red alert as Météo-France predicted rainfall accumulations between 200 and ~~300~~ 400 mm in ~~some areas, with~~ the Cévennes ~~region expecting between 300 and 400 mm. Hourly intensities were forecasted to reach up to 80 mm, specifically impacting the Nîmes area. The meteorological phenomenon is~~ region, driven by ~~high evaporation and heat from the warm Western~~ Mediterranean ~~Sea. Atlantic circulation triggers the movement of moist air, which can discharge over the Cévennes or fuel cyclogenesis over the Ligurian Sea, affecting parts of Italy as well.~~ sea temperatures that are currently 2 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal. In ~~the Gard sector, specifically near Aigues-Mortes~~ Gard, Prefect Fabienne Decottignies advised residents to stay indoors, noting that several rescue operations had already been conducted for individuals who disregarded safety instructions. Local impacts include flooded roads and ~~the Petite Camargue, two tornadoes were observed touching~~ rising rivers, with the ~~ground. Local~~ Vidourle river flooding ~~has been reported~~ streets in ~~areas such as~~ Quissac and various roads around Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort and ~~Quissac. Vigicrues continues~~ Anduze becoming impassable due to ~~warn~~ torrents of ~~potential overflows for the Gardon d’Alès, Gardon d’Anduze, Cèze,~~ water and ~~Erau rivers.~~ debris. Emergency measures remain ~~in place.~~ extensive. Schools and ~~universities~~ public establishments have been closed, and all school transportation has been canceled. In Montpellier, public transport was moved to depots, and gymnasiums were opened to shelter vulnerable populations. In coastal communes such as Frontignan, campsites were evacuated as a precaution. The SNCF maintains a total interruption of rail traffic on the Nîmes to Clermont-Ferrand ~~line, utilizing replacement buses. Bus and tramway services in Montpellier and Gard have also been suspended.~~ line. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has urged citizens to limit travel as emergency services remain fully ~~mobilized to manage the ongoing risks of torrential rainfall and severe storms.~~ mobilized. Nearby departments, including Lozère, Ardèche, and Bouches-du-Rhône, ~~are~~ remain under orange alerts for storms and flooding.

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