Flash floods strike Cannes after severe storm drops nearly 40 mm (1.57 inches) of rain in just one hour, France
A severe storm hit the cities of Cannes and Antibes in France on the morning of Monday, September 23, 2024, bringing intense rainfall that caused flooding and significant disruption across the region. In less than an hour, Cannes received up to 40 mm (1.57 inches) of rain, with 16 mm (0.63 inches) falling in just six minutes.
Image credit: France 3 Côte d'Azur (stillshot)
A severe storm hit the cities of Cannes and Antibes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France on Monday, September 23, bringing significant rainfall and flooding to the area.
The storm hit western Cannes at around 07:10 local time (LT) and passed over the city by 08:00 LT. The city center recorded around 30 – 40 mm (1.18 – 1.57 inches) of rain from around 07:20 LT to 07:50 LT, of which 16 mm (0.63 inches) fell in just six minutes.
Reports from La Chaine Meteo say the storm was particularly violent in Cannes, which experienced around 26 mm (1.02 inches) of rain in one hour, of which 18 mm (0.71 inches) fell in just 12 minutes. So far, no injuries or casualties have been reported due to the floods.
Five rescue and ten safety operations have been conducted so far in the Cannes area, and around 50 firefighters were deployed in the region to deal with the situation. Several schools were closed, and Route A8, along with other roads, experienced significant traffic disruptions.
The region has been under a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms since Sunday, September 22.
The vigilance bulletin on Monday morning at 06:00 LT reported that severe but short-lived storms are passing through the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments.
These storms are accompanied by intense rainfall. Heavy rains, still expected in the eastern Var and Alpes-Maritimes, are isolated but intense. It is advisable to stay informed about the situation’s evolution and the associated alert level.
Several regions, including Alpes-Maritimes, remain on yellow alert for the time being.
References:
1 Vigilance météorologique et crues –MeteoFrance – Accessed on September 23, 2024
2 Intempéries: rues inondées, circulation complètement paralysée… la Côte d’Azur balayée par un violent orage, suivez notre direct – Nice Matin – September 23, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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