Bus submerged in floodwaters.
Share this @internewscast.com

THREE people have died and two people are missing after heavy rains and thunderstorms have battered southern France.

Heavy rainfalls have inundated whole streets, leading to power and water outages and significant devastation, while hundreds of rescuers have hurried to the area, renowned for experiencing 300 days of sunshine.

Bus submerged in floodwaters.
Severe thunderstorms and flooding have caused deaths in the Var region of southern FranceCredit: Reuters
Cars submerged in floodwaters on a street.
Muddy floodwaters are seen running down a street in Vidauban – one of the worst-affected communesCredit: Reuters
A firefighting vehicle rides on a mud-covered street following a flood caused by heavy rain in Cavaliere village of Le Lavandou commune in the Var department, southeastern France, on May 20, 2025. Intense rainstorms in the southeastern Var department have left at least three people dead, including an octogenarian couple in Le Lavandou, on the coast, authorities reported. (Photo by Christophe Simon / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Around 200 firefighters and 35 gendarmes have been sent to the regionCredit: AFP
Map highlighting the Var region of France, where three people died and two are missing after heavy rains and storms.

The rainfall hit Var – a region located in the southeast of France and part of the French Riviera – on Tuesday.

A couple in their eighties died after their car was swept away by floodwaters in the seaside town of Le Lavandou, France 24 reported.

The woman’s body was found trapped inside the wreck, a public prosecutor in Toulon told AFP.

A third person drowned in their vehicle in the commune of Vidauban, according to the gendarmerie.

A local official pulled the driver out of her vehicle but the passenger inside could not be saved.

Both French communes were among the worst-affected by the storms, with Gil Bernardi, mayor of Le Lavandou, describing “scenes of war” left behind.

Bernardi said: “It was a really violent, vicious, incomprehensible phenomenon.”

He added: “The roads, the bridges, the paving stones, there is no more electricity, water, or wastewater treatment plant.

“The shock is significant because the phenomenon is truly violent and incomprehensible.

“As we speak, an entire part of the commune is inaccessible.”

Mum and son die in flash flooding in tourist hotspot as 100s evacuated

There were reportedly power and water outages in the town of Cavaliere where 250mm fell in the space of one hour.

A parking lot also collapsed in the town, leading to dozens of people being rescued by authorities.

Around 200 firefighters and 35 gendarmes have reportedly been deployed in Var.

The total rainfall exceeded 10cm as of 10am local time, according to Meteo-France.

The weather agency placed the region under an orange alert for rain, flooding and thunderstorms.

A day earlier, hailstorms and heavy rain hit southwestern France, causing destruction.

The rainfall flooded homes, damaged railway tracks and forced hundreds aboard a high-speed TGV train to evacuate in the middle of the night.

The train’s track had reportedly become dislodged after rainfall caused the ground to subside.

It comes as parts of southern and southeastern Spain were hit by major storms last week.

Almería, Murcia, Granada, parts of the Costa Blanca and the popular British hotspot of Benidorm were among the regions battered by the storms.

In a village in Murcia, 37 litres of rain per square metre reportedly fell in just 30 minutes, causing sudden flash floods.

This photograph shows a damaged car on a mud-covered street following a flood caused by heavy rain in Cavaliere village of Le Lavandou commune in the Var department, southeastern France, on May 20, 2025. Intense rainstorms in the southeastern Var department have left at least three people dead, including an octogenarian couple in Le Lavandou, on the coast, authorities reported. (Photo by Christophe Simon / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)
A damaged car is seen on a mud-covered street in Le LavandouCredit: AFP
A view of a building damaged by flooding, following heavy rainfall, in Le Lavandou, France, May 20, 2025, in this picture obtained from social media. Emma Formeaux/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
A building in Le Levandou is seen damaged by flooding
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
North Carolina bar patron’s video may have foiled gunman night before deadly waterfront massacre: report

Video from a North Carolina bar patron might have stopped a gunman the night before a deadly waterfront shooting: report

A gunman accused of carrying out an ambush at a North Carolina…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy students to travel from Lakeview, Chicago to Vatican City for audience with Pope Leo XIV

Students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in Lakeview, Chicago to Visit Vatican City for a Meeting with Pope Leo XIV

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Wednesday, a group of traveling students from Our…
Two Delta regional jets collide on taxiway at LaGuardia Airport; 1 injured

Two Delta Regional Jets Collide on LaGuardia Airport Taxiway; One Person Injured

Two Canadair jets operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta Air…
Son accused of brutally beating his mother to death with gardening tool over inheritance: police

Man Allegedly Kills Mother in Violent Attack Using Garden Tool in Dispute Over Inheritance: Authorities

A Missouri man is behind bars after authorities say he allegedly beat…
Chicago immigration raids: Family 'unlawfully' detained by ICE at Millennium Park now separated, court filing argues

Chicago Immigration Raid: Court Documents Allege Family Detained ‘Illegally’ by ICE at Millennium Park Now Divided

CHICAGO (WLS) — The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) has taken legal…
Inside Dallas ICE facility in aftermath of sniper attack that killed two detainees

A Look Into Dallas ICE Facility Following Deadly Sniper Attack on Detainees

Exclusive footage obtained by Brooke Taylor reveals the aftermath of a deadly…
Des Moines Public School Board accepts superintendent's resignation after ICE arrest

Des Moines School Board Approves Superintendent’s Resignation Following ICE Detention

The Des Moines Public Schools board has accepted the resignation of a…
UNC professor on leave over ties to far-left gun club once headlined Harvard panel on armed activism

UNC Professor on Leave Over Far-Left Gun Club Links Previously Starred at Harvard Discussion on Armed Activism

The Trump administration announced it was freezing over $2 billion in grants…
BMW recalls over 145,000 vehicles for fire risk

BMW Issues Recall for Over 145,000 Vehicles Due to Fire Hazard

BMW is recalling more than 145,000 vehicles due to starter motor overheating…
Morgan Wallen denied throwing chair off bar roof to police in 2024, footage shows

Morgan Wallen Dismisses Allegations of Throwing Chair from Bar Roof in 2024, Video Evidence Emerges

Country music star Morgan Wallen, who was arrested and charged with reckless…
UVU Professor’s CIA Ties Vanish After Kirk Event

CIA Connections of UVU Professor Disappear Post-Kirk Event

A social media investigation has surfaced claims that a Utah Valley University…
JSO: Teen killed in hit-and-run crash on Arlington Road

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office: Teenager Dies in Arlington Road Hit-and-Run Accident

A pedestrian noticed a teenager lying unresponsive along Arlington Road North, according…