France and Italy – Deadly Flash Floods After 630mm of Rain in 24 Hours

by in Europe, News

Floods in southeastern France and northern Italy in the wake of Storm Alex have left 3 people dead and several missing. Hundreds of homes, along with bridges and roads, have been destroyed.

Flooding came after record rainfall. Italian authorities said Piedmont region recorded its highest rainfall totals since 1958. Sambughetto in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola recorded 630 mm of rain in 24 hours to 03 October 2020. Limone Piemonte in the Province of Cuneo recorded 580 mm of rain during the same period.

Meanwhile Meteo France reported 500.2 mm of rain in 24 hours to 03 October at Saint-Martin-Vésubie, which is the equivalent of more than three months of rain and a record daily amount.

Floods in Vésubie, France 03 October 2020. Photo: Sappeurs Pompiers 06

France

In France, areas of Alpes-Maritimes Department were among the hardest hit, in particular the communes of Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Breil-sur-Roya. Hundreds of homes are thought to have been destroyed or damaged.

After visiting affected areas, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said that at least 8 people were missing, including two firefighters whose vehicle was swept away by flood water.

The Prime Minister added that the priority is to search for victims, provide supplies and accommodation for disaster victims and restore communications.

French Fire service said 952 firefighters have been mobilized in the Alpes-Maritimes Department, of which nearly 400 are engaged in the communes of Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Breil-sur-Roya. As of 04 October 429 interventions had been carried out. Military and helicopters have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts.

Floods in Vésubie, France 03 October 2020. Photo: Sappeurs Pompiers 06

Italy

In Italy, the Fire Department – Vigili del Fuoco – has carried out 2,500 interventions in Piedmont, Liguria and Lombardy regions. As many as 92 people have been rescued by helicopters.

In the Aosta Valley Region, a firefighter died during a rescue operation. Another fatality was reported after a man was swept away by flood waters in Vercelli province in Piedmont on 02 October. A third fatality was reported after a body was found in Col de Tende area in the Province of Cuneo, also Piedmont Region.

Vigili del Fuoco rescued dozens of people trapped in vehicles along the Col de Tende mountain pass in the Alps, close to the border with France. Rescue and evacuations were also carried out in parts of Cuneo and Vercelli provinces.

Civil Defence helicopter teams were searching for people missing after flooding from the Sesia River in Palestro in the province of Pavia, Lombardy Region.

Several rivers in the region have exceeded danger levels, including the Sesia at Borgosesia and Palestro, the Po at Valenza, the Tanaro at Garessio and Farigliano, and the Toce at Candoglia.

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