Red flood alert in south-west
Residents warned that rivers risk bursting their banks as man killed when car swept away
FLOODING alerts have been issued for Pyrenees-Orientales, Herault and Aude after heavy thunderstorms battered the countryside. A driver has already died after his car was swept away by floods on the Reart at Pollestres.
Residents in the river Agly valley have been put on Red Alert with the river very high and fast. At Rivesaltes it is expected to exceed 7m and had reached 6.7m at midday with high risk of flooding.
The Agly, the Tet at Perpignan and the Reart have already burst their banks along part of their route. People at Salanque, Fenouillede and Rivesaltes have been warned to take extreme care.
Along the coast, people have been warned to stay clear of open coastal areas due to the risk of high waves.
Several roads have already been closed, including the RD45 between St Esteve and Baixas, the RD114 and 115 in several parts, the RD59, and the RD25 between Finestret et Estoher. Parts of the RD44 and RD2 have been closed by mudslides.
Three people were rescued from rising floodwaters at Perpignan and 10 people evacuated in Barcares .
Heavy rains have been concentrated on the coast in Pyrenees-Orientales with 18cm at Fenouilledes and the Cote Vermeille, 15cm at Perpignan. These should stop around tea-time.
The whole of the Mediterranean coastline has been put on yellow alert, with Aude on orange alert.
