As the only department placed under red alert, the Alpes-Maritimes experienced the passage of Storm Alex: schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, and also daycare centers remained closed all day, and school transportation was not operating.
The TGVs bound for Nice were stopped at Toulon (Var). Up to 450 millimeters of rain, in total,” stated Météo France.
Nice airport operated intermittently.
Storm Alex swept across the southeast of France, with strong gusts of wind and intense rainfall. The prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes announced on Friday, October 2nd, that several people were being searched for in the department, which was placed under red alert by Météo France due to expected heavy rain, the risk of flooding, and the risk of river surges.
Following reports from residents, several people were being searched for in the Alpes-Maritimes department on Friday evening. Rescue teams launched several search operations in the Saint-Martin-Vésubie area, which does not necessarily mean that these people are actually missing. Authorities are currently trying to cross-check field information, but the work is extremely challenging.
“The damage is considerable in Saint-Martin-Vésubie, which is the epicenter of the phenomenon,” declared deputy (LR) Eric Ciotti, stating that “235 mm of rain had fallen in a few hours.”
The Nice City Hall has equipped the Nikaïa hall to serve as an emergency shelter for people having difficulties reaching their homes, especially in the Valleys.
