The red alert for “rain-flood” and “floods” was lifted early Saturday morning in the Alpes-Maritimes, after the passage of storm Alex. An orange alert is now in effect.
At least eight people, including two firefighters, are still being searched for by rescuers after what Météo France described as “exceptional” floods.
At least eight missing
“We now have only eight confirmed missing,” announced the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture. Previously, there were nine missing, but a gendarme from Saint-Martin-Vésubie “was seen by his colleagues.”
Additionally, three other people are “presumed missing” by the firefighters after fairly vague reports, unlike the other cases, where people were seen being swept away by the waters.
Following a crisis meeting, Interior Minister Gérard Darmanin announced “the deployment of 4 additional civil security helicopters and 2 additional sections of firefighters with pumping equipment.”
