Intense rainfall has led to significant flooding in the Aude department of southern France. The department remains under orange vigilance, and schools are closed this Monday, January 19th.
Evacuations and Military Deployment
The south of France experienced heavy rainfall throughout the weekend, particularly in the Aude. The FR-Alert system was activated, informing residents of the exceptional nature of the weather event and urging them to exercise extreme caution.
According to La Chaîne Météo, rainfall totals over the last 24 hours reached 104 mm in Caunes-Minervois and 120 mm in Argeliers. A major flood of the Aude River is underway; at Moussoulens, the river level is rising rapidly and may approach the reference level seen in November 2014 by this evening.
Parts of the Maraussan and Mayolle neighborhoods were evacuated on Sunday, with residents living in single-story homes, according to France Info. The Aude prefecture announced the deployment of 30 military personnel to assist with the evacuation process.
Prefect of the Aude, Alain Bucqué, told ICI Occitanie that several roads are closed to traffic and recommended avoiding travel whenever possible.
The Aude River’s rising water levels could lead to further disruptions and potential damage to infrastructure. If the river reaches the levels seen in November 2014, widespread flooding is possible. Authorities may continue to issue travel advisories and could expand evacuation orders if conditions worsen. It is also likely that emergency services will remain on high alert for the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current alert level for the Aude department?
The Aude department is currently under orange vigilance.
Which areas have been evacuated?
Parts of the Maraussan and Mayolle neighborhoods have been evacuated.
How many military personnel have been deployed?
30 military personnel have been deployed to assist with the evacuation.
How will communities impacted by flooding begin to recover and rebuild?
