Travel Information: France flooded – is it safe to travel? | Travel News | Trip


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France has been hit by severe floods in the south-west of the country, which claimed the lives of at least 10 people. This is the last travel tip.

Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise further and that thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in the Aude region.

The zone is on red alert, the highest weather alert. Residents and tourists have been warned against traveling and are advised to take extreme precautionary measures.

The UK Foreign Office (FCO) has updated its advice to France and affected regions.

The FCO website said: "There have been flash floods in southern France (Aude). You must follow the advice of the local authorities.

"Flood warnings remain in place for the following regions: Aude, Aveyron, Hérault, Pyrénées Orientales, Tarn."

Displacements were disrupted, cars were swept, streets were devastated and bridges damaged.

Many roads are impassable and helicopters are sent to rescue stranded people.

In the town of Trebes in the Aude, the Aude River rose eight meters in five hours.

Shocking photos show submerged cars and the water level reaching half of the doors.

Rescue services carrying pets and children are visible while some buildings are completely destroyed. The school remains closed.

Aude prefect, Alain Thirion, said seven helicopters rushed to rescue people from the roofs of their homes who were fighting against the weather.

He said: "We have people stuck on the roofs, we will have to use planes to evacuate them because we can not reach them by boat because of the force of the water."

According to the local news site The Local, the department will remain on red alert until tomorrow, when it is hoped that the floodwater will have sufficiently withdrawn.

The most affected areas are the villages of Conques-Sur-Orbiel and Villardonnel, where in some areas the water rose to the height of the first-floor windows of the houses.

Torrential rains are not uncommon in France at this time of year, but meteorologists have said that exceptionally warm seawater along the Mediterranean coast of southern France could intensify rains.

This comes from the fact that the remains of Hurricane Leslie cause strong winds, heavy rains and sudden floods on Portugal and Spain.

Weather forecasts warn that new showers will arrive in busy European tourist areas, including Marseille, Barcelona and Malaga.

The Met Office said: "Other episodes of # heavy storms will affect many vacation spots in the western Mediterranean # during this week.

"A repeated #train train could give up to 500mm in some places by the end of the week."

Less than a week ago, 12 people died in a catastrophic flood in Mallorca.

Among the victims are British couples Antony and Delia Green, both aged 70, whose taxi was swallowed by a torrent of water raging in the coastal area of ​​Sant Llorenc.

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