Four deaths reported in eastern Spain floods over previous weekend
At least four people died in eastern Spain floods the previous weekend, according to a single, unconfirmed report.
Event / Disaster
Southeastern France Flooding October 2026
Severe flooding in Bouches-du-Rhône and Haute-Corse departments on October 20-21, 2026 resulted in 4 deaths, 1 missing person, power outages affecting thousands, and 250 people requiring emergency shelter. Nearly 500mm of rainfall caused extensive damage across the region.
13 reported locations
Daily activity
7 articles0 articles
2026-10-22 to 2026-10-24 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Oct, 08:22 UTC
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What happened
Storms in southeastern France leave four dead and one missing as of 22 October 2026
As of Thursday 22 October 2026, the Mediterranean storm episode that hit southeastern France had caused at least four deaths, with one person still missing.
Mediterranean rainfall episodes are more intense than in the 1960s
Météo-France states that Mediterranean rainfall episodes are currently more intense than in the 1960s, and that the most extreme events are also more frequent.
Mediterranean storm episode begins in Hérault and Gard on 19 October
A Mediterranean storm episode linked to a cold drop, named Adam by the Spanish meteorological service, began on Monday 19 October 2026 in the departments of Hérault and Gard. On Tuesday 20 October it extended to the Alpes-Provence-Côte d'Azur region and Corsica.
Intense Mediterranean rain episodes increased 50% in frequency from 1961 to 2025
Between 1961 and 2025, the frequency of intense rainfall episodes exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours in the Mediterranean area increased by 50%, with strong variability from year to year.
At least four people die in floods in eastern Spain the previous weekend
At least four people died in floods in eastern Spain during the weekend of 17 and 18 October 2026, caused by heavy rainfall.
Solenzara records 538 mm of rain in six hours, a value unprecedented in mainland France and Corsica
Solenzara in Haute-Corse recorded more than 640 millimetres of rain during the episode, including 538 millimetres in six hours. This amount is without precedent for mainland France and Corsica.
Flooding causes power cuts in Saint-Martin-de-Crau and Arles
Flooding caused power outages in the communes of Saint-Martin-de-Crau and Arles. The prefecture pledged to restore electricity supply as soon as possible.
Flood waters reach unprecedented levels in communes of western Bouches-du-Rhône
Water levels in communes of western Bouches-du-Rhône rose to unprecedented levels during the storms. Flooded neighbourhoods, closed roads and vehicles displaced by the force of the water were reported across several departments.
Weather in Bouches-du-Rhône returns to normal on Wednesday, with a weak rain episode expected Friday
Weather conditions across the Bouches-du-Rhône department returned to normal on Wednesday 21 October 2026, apart from wind gusts. A weak rain episode was expected again on Friday 23 October.
Search for a missing person in Roquebrune-sur-Argens after car found trapped near watercourse
On the evening of Wednesday 21 October 2026, rescue services were searching for a person reported missing in Roquebrune-sur-Argens in the Var department. The person's car was found trapped near a watercourse.
Climate projections estimate 15% average increase in intense rainfall across France
Under the TRACC reference warming trajectory for climate adaptation, intense precipitation could increase by 15% on average across France, with increases of up to 20% in the northern half of the country, in a scenario of +4°C by 2100.
A 4x4 swept away by the Fium'orbu river in Ghisonaccia leaves one man dead
On Tuesday 20 October 2026 at midday, a 4x4 was swept away by the Fium'orbu river in Ghisonaccia, Haute-Corse. One occupant escaped through a window, while the other was found dead.
250 people housed in reception centres in Saint-Martin-de-Crau after flooding
250 people were housed in reception centres in Saint-Martin-de-Crau following the flooding.
Two women drowned in a cellar in Lançon-Provence during the storms
Two women, aged 86 and 26, were found drowned in a cellar in Lançon-Provence. The fire service stated that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the deaths.
Bouches-du-Rhône storm toll reaches three dead and one injured
The prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône reported on the evening of Wednesday 21 October 2026 that the storms had killed three people and injured one person in the department.
Intensity of Mediterranean rainfall increased 11% from 1961 to 2025
Between 1961 and 2025, the intensity of Mediterranean rainfall increased by 11%.
A 75-year-old man swept away by floodwaters found dead in Istres
A 75-year-old man swept away by floodwaters was found dead in Istres on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
Storm rainfall in Gard and Hérault equals about two months of precipitation
The storm episode delivered rainfall totals equivalent to about two months of normal precipitation in Gard and Hérault, and two to three months of precipitation in Bouches-du-Rhône.
One person reported missing after flooding in Var department
Search and rescue operations continued on October 22 for a person reported missing in Roquebrune-sur-Argens in the eastern Var department following the severe flooding that struck the region.
Climate change linked to increased Mediterranean flooding episodes
The article notes that violent Mediterranean weather episodes are multiplying due to global warming. This severe flooding represents part of an increasing pattern of extreme weather events in the region attributed to climate change.
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2 alternative perspectives
Intense Mediterranean rain episodes up 50% in frequency since 1961
Intense Mediterranean rain episodes rose 50% in frequency and 11% in intensity from 1961 to 2025, according to one study.
Record 538 mm downpour in six hours sets unprecedented benchmark
Solenzara recorded 538 mm in six hours, and Gard and Hérault received about two months of rain from the storm.
Four storm deaths confirmed across Bouches-du-Rhône and Haute-Corse
Four storm deaths are confirmed, three in Bouches-du-Rhône and one in Haute-Corse, with one person still missing in Var.
Study links climate change to more Mediterranean flooding episodes
One climate study links climate change to more Mediterranean flooding, but it does not directly connect to the recent southeastern French floods.
Power cuts cascade across Arles and Saint-Martin-de-Crau
Power outages hit Arles and Saint-Martin-de-Crau after flooding devastates southeastern France.
Four dead, one missing as record rainfall sweeps southeastern France
Southeastern France flooding kills four, leaves one missing amid record rainfall.