Storm and flood alert in the south

THREE departments in the south of France have been placed on storm and flood alert by Météo France, with between 10 and 20cm of rain forecast in some places.

The orange alert applies to the Bouches-du-Rhône, Gard and Vaucluse, with the worst of the weather set for this evening and overnight. The warning is in place until Tuesday morning.

"These storms could be particularly violent and accompanied by lightning," the forecaster said. "There could be some intense and sustained rainfall overnight."

Météo France says the alert could be extended to the Var in due course - a department that suffered deadly flooding last weekend and where the cleanup operation continues.

UPDATE: The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture announced today that two people missing in the Cannes area after the October 3 floods had been traced safe and well. Two Germans contacted police in Germany once they realised they were being sought.