Montpellier flooding, Digi Mart USA News (Montpellier region, southern France): Streets in Sommières, in the Gard department, were under water on Thursday evening after a Mediterranean weather episode swept across southern France. According to a TF1 correspondent on site, the Vidourle river was in flood and rising rapidly, with the mayor reporting a rise of more than 1.50 meters in about two hours.
Numerous roads were blocked in Gard and in neighboring Hérault. In Mauguio, a traffic officer said many routes were closed, including the 24, 172, 986 near Palavas and the 62-2 near Carnon.
One motorist had abandoned a car in a ditch, and a tow truck was reportedly stuck farther along the road.
Rain also flooded several streets in Montpellier on Thursday afternoon, with more than 70 millimeters of water falling in some locations. The downpours, though sometimes brief, were intense enough to inundate streets within hours and cause damage, including in Frontignan.
A resident said there was nearly one meter of water in the street, noting that leaves clogging storm drains contributed to the problem.
Nearly every shop on the street was affected. A convenience store and a bar each reported about 20 centimeters of water inside, and cleanup in the bar lasted much of the day.
The bar’s manager said the water reached the back counter and even the toilets.
Rain was still falling Thursday evening, including in La Grande-Motte, but conditions were expected to improve on Friday. Météo-France lifted its orange weather alert at midday.
