Var on orange flood alert

THE Var is still on orange alert at Météo France this morning after heavy rains caused floods in the south-east this weekend.

The alert level means “be very careful because dangerous phenomena are expected”.

There are still said to be risks of more floods in the department, however on the whole the situation is improving, with 3,000 homes without electricity today compared to 11,500 yesterday.

Half of roads that were cut off by floods have now reopened.

However care is still being urged, due to new rainfall expected later today.

More than 1,500 people had to be rescued in the department over the weekend, including 360 evacuated from homes and 23 people who had to be winched up by helicopter crews.

A couple aged 71 died while trying to pump out water from their cellar in the Var and a homeless man was swept away by water in the Hérault.