IN IMAGES, IN PICTURES. Storm Monica: one dead, floods in the Hérault, submerged roads… Occitanie particularly affected

Les secours de la région et des départements alentours sont mobilisés. – Mikael Anisset

Storm Monica crossed Occitanie on Saturday March 9, 2024, causing serious damage. While seven people are missing, the rivers are in flood and emergency services are mobilizing to secure the inhabitants of the region. 

The storm surprised the inhabitants of the region. Since Friday evening, Occitanie has been in the grip of strong disturbances caused by the Monica depression, the passage of which was the most violent yesterday. 

A body was found Sunday afternoon in Gagnières. While six people are missing, including six in Gard, emergency services are being mobilized to find the victims. Among them, two children, who were in the back of a car swept away by the floods.

The region plagued by floods

The Gardon and the Hérault overflowed at the end of the day on Saturday, causing damage to the submersible bridges and the surrounding roadway. Emergency services are mobilized and attempt to clear the roads, while simultaneously carrying out search operations.

In Dions, water rescue teams searching for the father and his children. Alexis Bethune.

In Goudargues, two women still not found, divers deployed to find them.

In Goudargues, two women still not found, divers mobilized.

The water level observed on the Pont du Gard testifies to the rise in water levels during the episode. 

La #crue du #Gardon depuis le Pont-du-Gard 😰

Photo : Emilie Loki pour Météo Languedoc pic.twitter.com/OLzOZV620c

— Météo Languedoc (@MeteoLanguedoc) March 10, 2024

The region, particularly dry this winter, has suffered from the rapid rise of its watercourses. The runoff phenomenon caused rivers to overflow in just a few hours.

In Goudargues, two women still not found, divers mobilized.

Certain streets of the village of Goudargues are under water, as shown by these images captured on site in the morning. 

Goudargues under the waters. Mikael Anisset.

Goudargues under the waters. Mikael Anisset.

Goudargues under the waters. Mikael Anisset.

In Dions, water rescue teams searching for the father and his children.

Research continues

A vast system was set up in Dions to find a father and his two children, aged 4 and 13. "The device is made up of 60 firefighters with white water rescue teams from Gard, dog handlers and drones, reinforced by colleagues from Bouches-du-Rhône and du Vaucluse", explains Lieutenant-Colonel Olivier Tuleda to the Midi Libre journalists present on site. 

The Gard will be kept on orange flood alert until tomorrow, and yellow for storms. Hérault, Aveyron and Lozère are colored yellow for flood risks as well. 

In Dions, the place where the family was swept away by the waters. Alexis Bethune.

Orange vigilance has been extended to Soâne-et-Loire and Yonne for tomorrow, joining Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Gironde and Charente-Maritime, indicates Météo France in its latest bulletin. 

Photo and video credits: Alexis Bethune and Mikael Anisset.