Cévenol storm brings heavy rain to south-east France: what to expect

Heavy rains are set to hit south-east France from this evening (October 24), as another episode cévenol makes its way across the country. 

Up to 120 mm of rain will fall in the Cévennes mountain range in the next 24 hours, and locally this will rise to 150 mm. 

Elsewhere, storms are predicted along the Mediterranean coastline, particularly the Var department, and Corsica from this evening.

Rain will begin in the late afternoon in the Hérault and Gard departments, moving up to the Ardèche department later in the day and increasing in intensity, with rains continuing to fall in these three departments for much of Friday (October 25). 

Heavy rain may also fall further east in the Alpes-Maritimes department.

Rain and storms are predicted in the south-east for the entire weekend, particularly along the Mediterranean coast until Sunday (October 27) evening.

Read more: What is an episode cévenol?

No heightened warnings in place yet

Outside of the Cévennes, around 30 mm of rain is expected in most places, which is not normally a significant amount, but there is a risk of flooding due to the soil being saturated as it will be the third week in a row where storms will hit. 

The risk of flooding is particularly high in low-lying areas and near rivers. 

The Ardèche department in particular faced record flooding of nearly 700 mm in some areas last week, as Storm Leslie tore through towns and rural areas alike. 

Read more: Photos: French towns submerged by Storm Leslie, alerts in place for river flooding

Currently, heightened warnings for any weather phenomena relating to the cévenol episode or its aftermath have not been raised by state forecaster Météo France.

However, increased warnings may be raised depending on the progression of the storms. 

You can find all official alerts through the forecaster’s website.