Storms in the Var: one dead and one person missing in the bad weather

A "stormy episode with intense rain" caused the death of one person in Le Lavandou, in the Var department, while another is missing, according to a press release released on X by the department's prefecture. The bad weather is mainly affecting the areas of Le Lavandou, Vidauban, Luc, La Garde-Freinet, Grimaud, Collobrières, La Môle, Cavalaire, and Bormes-les-Mimosas, the authorities said.

They added that 200 firefighters were mobilized and that around 50 interventions were carried out, "including some for rescues and securing people." Reinforcements are expected from Bouches-du-Rhône and Alpes-Maritimes. Around 30 gendarmes are also mobilized.

The prefecture reported that FR Alert emergency messages were sent to mobile phones "to remind the population of safety instructions ." The orange alert for the risk of thunderstorms, rain, and flooding is in effect until at least 2 p.m., it said, adding that residents are asked not to travel, to stay away from waterways, not to park on bridges, and not to go into basements.

The Môle and the Giscle, two rivers, are susceptible to overflows, as is the Aille watershed, the prefecture emphasizes, also mentioning closed roads, such as the D558 between Le Cannet-des-Maures and La Garde-Freinet, the D75 between Les Mayons and La Garde-Freinet, the D298 at Le Lavandou and the D98 between the Col de Gratteloup and La Môle.