At least three people have been killed in floods caused by heavy rain and storms that have hit Southern France since Monday.
The bodies of the elderly couple were found in the seaside resort town of Le Labandou, but others died after being locked up in Vidauban’s car, local authorities reported Tuesday.
Rain has caused extensive damage throughout the region, flooding roads and causing power and water outages. At least two local trains stopped the journey overnight after the railway tracks were damaged.
The dead couple tried to leave the house, but “we were surprised by the very rapid rise in water levels,” prosecutor Toulon said.
An investigation into their deaths was opened.
“We are shocked by the scale of the natural disaster that struck the Cavalieres area this morning,” a Le Labandou official said. They said 256mm of rain had fallen in the town centre in just an hour.
The town, about 30 km (18 miles) east of St. Tropez, is a holiday destination along the French Riviera.
“It was a truly violent, troubling, and incomprehensible phenomenon,” said local Mayor Gil Bernardi.
Le Labandou was still struggling with electricity and water shutdowns on Tuesday, and access was also restricted as the town’s main roads remained flooded.
Meanwhile, officials further north of Vidauvan said one person was killed after the car drove down a flooded road and fell into a ditch.
Passersby tried to save both the driver and passenger residents, but only the driver could save, said Claude Pianetti, mayor of Vidauban.
Authorities said more than 500 calls have been made to emergency services in the VAR area. Hundreds of emergency rescuers are also deployed in the area, including nearby cities like Cannes.
The VAR was placed in further emergency warnings for thunderstorms and floods on Tuesday morning, but these were later downgraded to lowest levels.
Local authorities said more than 600 homes remained without electricity.
Heavy rain and thunder struck southwest France on Monday night. The Bordeaux Turose Railway Line is affected by several trains on the route that have been cancelled for the next few days.
