2010 Var floods
 The location of the department of the Var within France | |
| Date | 15–16 June 2010 |
|---|---|
| Location | Var, France |
| Deaths | at least 25 deaths |
| Property damage | unknown |
The 2010 Var floods were the result of heavy rainfall in southern France that caused severe floods in the department of the Var in the evening of 15 June 2010. Meteorologists say the floods are the worst in the region since 1827,[1] with more than 400 millimetres (1 ft 4 in) of rain falling in less than 24 hours.[2] At least 25 people have been killed,[3] and 14 people are still missing.[4] The worst hit municipalities were Les Arcs, Figanières, Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Trans-en-Provence and the subprefecture of Draguignan.[5]
Damage
Over 1,000 people were evacuated from their houses, and 175,000 houses were left without electricity. In Draguignan, 236 inmates had to be evacuated when two floors of the prison were flooded.[6] All 440 inmates from the prison were later transferred to other prisons in Cannes, Grasse, Metz, Marseille and Nice.[7] Helicopters were used to evacuate people from the rooftops of their houses.[1] In Frejus, over 1,500 people were rescued by the use of inflatable boats or helicopters. Many tourists were trapped in campsites along the Argens river.[6] People were urged to drink bottled water as it was feared that water supplies in the area were contaminated by the floodwater.[8]
Reactions
Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux stated that he expected the death toll to rise further.[2] President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his condolences to the victims' families and his support for the rescue teams.[6] He stated that he planned to visit the area in the week commencing 21 June 2010.[2]
The French Red Cross launched an appeal, stating that the appeal was strictly for cash donations and not for clothing or furniture.[9]
Deaths
Eleven people were killed in Draguignan, five in Trans-en-Provence, three at La Motte, two in Roquebrune-sur-Argens and Saint-Aygulf and one each in Fréjus, the Lac de Saint-Cassien and at Le Luc.[3][8] As of 17 June 2010, 14 people were listed as missing.[8]
Transport disruption
A High Speed Train travelling between Nice and Lille was stranded by the floodwaters near Le Luc.[10] There were over 300 people on board. The railway between Toulon and Frejus was closed.[1] Services were reinstated between Toulon and Les Arcs and also between Nice and Saint-Raphaël on 17 June 2010. A bus service replaced trains between Les Arcs and Saint-Raphaël.[8] Air travel in the region was also disrupted.[1] Toulon-Hyères Airport closed in the evening of 15 June 2010, and reopened the following morning.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Deadly flash floods hit southern France, BBC News, 16 June 2010.
- ^ a b c French flash floods death toll 'expected to rise', BBC News, 17 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Var: Le bilan des inondations s'alourdit à 25 morts", Le Monde (in French), 17 June 2010
- ^ "Inondations: quatorze personnes disparues", Var Matin, 17 June 2010.
- ^ "Var: villes dévastées et routes effondrées après des inondations meurtrières", Le Monde (in French), 16 June 2010
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help). - ^ a b c "Deadly flash floods hit southern France". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Inondations: 440 détenus évacués à Draguignan" (in French). Var-Matin. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Inondations: 25 morts, l'état de catastrophe naturelle bientôt publié" (in French). Var-Matin. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ "Inondations: la solidarité s'organise" (in French). Var-Matin. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Southern France hit by deadly flash floods". The Telegraph. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ "Noodweer Côte d'Azur eist twintigste leven" (in Dutch). De Telegraaf. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)