Hérault red flood alert after 300mm of rain hits southern France

The Hérault department remains on the highest possible red-level weather alert for flooding this morning (December 23), following a rapid rise of the Hérault river in recent days.

It comes after 300mm of rain fell in parts of southern France in the last three days, with a further to 30mm to 50mm expected today. 

Several roads around Montpellier and elsewhere in Hérault are closed, including the RD13 and RD913. You can see a live map of roads impacted here. 

Three other departments are on the second-highest orange alert: Lozère (river flooding), Aveyron and Tarn (both for river flooding and icy roads). 

Heightened warnings for icy roads will be lifted by midday, but river flood warnings are expected to remain in place until Christmas Eve, possibly longer.

“In the Agde area, the rising water levels that began at midday on Monday have stabilised for the coming day,” said state forecaster Météo France.

Levels are expected to remain high throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday, it said. 

While the river is not expected to reach the levels it did on Monday, levels may subside before rapidly rising again, warned Agde mayor Sébastien Frey.

The Hérault river reached a level of 3m56, breaking 30-year records. 

Alongside the Hérault, river flooding warnings are in place for the Lot, Tarn, and Aveyron rivers (many departments are named after rivers that flow through them, although rivers such as the Lot run across several departments). 

The warnings only apply to certain stretches of the river – check the live status of river warnings using the official Vigicrues website, and general weather warnings through Météo France. 

General advice remains in place, including not to drive on flooded roads, avoiding bridges and roads that may see a sudden surge of water, not going into underground areas such as basements or car parks, and keeping up to date with local weather reports. 

Floods hit Hérault but worst avoided

Since Friday Montpellier has seen over 300mm of rain, with more expected today, causing the river Lez that runs through the city to burst its banks.

The flooding and rain has led to the closure of public parks as well as the city’s Christmas market. 

Around 1,000 residents lost power in Hérault overnight, around half in Montpellier. 

The city has opened several emergency shelters to welcome people. 

Firefighters in the department received around 1,000 callouts on Monday, including a number of rescue operations - mainly involving drivers who drove on flooded roads.

No major damage or serious injury has been recorded across the department.