World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Five southern French departments face orange alerts for storms and flooding
A Mediterranean storm system is bringing heavy rain to southern France on Monday, 19 October.
Météo-France issued orange alerts for Gard, Hérault, Lozère, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var, warning of storms, flooding or rising rivers.
The heaviest rain is expected in Gard and Hérault, where up to 60–80 millimetres could fall in under an hour, with further intense rain overnight.
In Lozère, totals could reach 200 millimetres and locally 350 in the Cévennes.
The alerts reflect a risk that intense, slow-moving storms could cause flash flooding and river rises, including along the Vistre, Vidourle, Hérault and Lez.
Météo-France has not ruled out a red alert if the worst rainfall scenario occurs.
The episode is expected to shift east on Tuesday and end during the following night, while orange alerts are expected to remain in place for Gard, Hérault and Lozère on Tuesday.
Météo-France placed five departments in southern France on orange alert on Monday, 19 October, for storms, heavy rain and possible flooding.
The alerts cover Gard, Hérault, Lozère, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var, with different hazards and start times.
Rainfall could reach 120 to 150 millimetres in less than three hours in parts of Gard and Hérault, while locally up to 350 millimetres is expected in the Cévennes.
Météo-France warned that a red alert could be needed if the forecast scenario is confirmed.
The Mediterranean storm and rain episode is expected to continue until Tuesday.
- Who
- Météo-France issued the alerts for people in five southern French departments.
- What
- Orange alerts were issued for storms, heavy rain and possible flooding. Météo-France said a red alert could follow if the forecast scenario is confirmed.
- When
- Monday, 19 October 2026; the episode is expected to continue until Tuesday.
- Where
- Gard, Hérault, Lozère, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var, in southern France.
- Why
- A Mediterranean storm and rain episode is expected to bring intense, potentially stationary thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Several departments, including Pyrénées-Orientales and Aude, were placed on yellow alert for rain, flooding and/or storms.
Bouches-du-Rhône and Var moved to orange alert for a brief but very intense storm risk.
Gard and Hérault were due to enter orange alert for rain, flooding, storms and river flooding.
Lozère was due to enter orange alert for heavy rain and flooding.
The rain was expected to shift east, with the episode forecast to end after further storms and heavy rain.
- Departments on orange alert
- Gard, Hérault, Lozère, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var
- Rainfall forecast in Gard and Hérault
- 120–150 mm in less than three hours
- Rainfall forecast in the Cévennes
- Locally up to 350 mm
- Wind gusts forecast
- Around 60–80 km/h in storms
- Possible higher alert
- Météo-France said red alert could be needed if the scenario is confirmed
3 sources
Cumuls de pluie importants, vents forts... À quoi faut-il s'attendre ce lundi dans le sud de la France avec l'épisode méditerranéen?
Orages, pluies et inondations : les départements du Gard et de l’Hérault placés en vigilance orange lundi
Trois départements placés en vigilance orange pluie-inondation et orages
What people are saying
if this scenario is confirmed, a move to red alert should then be expected
very intense, potentially stationary thunderstorms
a very active Mediterranean rain-and-thunderstorm episode
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Lundi 19 octobre 2026 : 🟠3 départements en vigilance orange Pluie-Inondation et orages Restez informés 📷https://t.co/JGz4rTV3xn