Heavy rain, hail: storm alerts continue in southeastern France
Var has now joined six other departments under an enhanced warning with 70-100mm of rain expected over a short period of time in some places
There are seven French departments under orange storm alerts today (September 14)
Météo France / Viktor Gladkov / Shutterstock
[Update September 14 at 15:10 - Var has now been taken off orange alert, and is back on a yellow storm warning.]
There are now seven departments in southern and southeastern France under alert for violent storms this morning (September 14).
Var joined Bouches-du-Rhône, Drôme, Gard, Hérault, Vaucluse and Ardèche under the warning in Météo France’s latest update this morning.
The national forecaster described the weather conditions as a “situation which requires particular vigilance in that there is a strong risk of a violent storm, with particularly intense rainfall.”
Rain began to fall in the early hours over Gard and Ardèche, and conditions are becoming unsettled in Bouches-du-Rhône and the west of Var this morning.
As the morning wears on, the storm will move swiftly over to Drôme and Vaucluse, while Hérault and Gard may see a temporary lull.
In affected areas, around 30-50mm of rain is expected to fall over one or two hours.
From midday, the storm activity will regain intensity, with some places forecast to see 70-100mm of rain over a short period of time.
Hail and strong winds could also impact people in the areas under orange alerts, but it is the heavy rainfall which will be most notable.
Although they are not under an orange warning, Isère, Rhône and Ain could also see significant rainfall today.
There are also 76 departments – covering all but the southwestern corner of France and Corsica – under yellow storm alerts, which require residents to be alert to the evolving situation.
People under such orange alerts should secure any possessions which could be blown or washed away, stay away from trees and bodies of water and avoid going out if possible.
If they must go out, they should not try to drive down a road which is even partially flooded.
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