The worst national toll from flooding over this period was in January and February 1990, when 81 people were killed by violent storms in the north and west of the country.
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Mandelieu-la-Napoule was the most affected city and seven people died after becoming trapped in their garage at home.
The region, which lies on the Mediterranean coast bordering Italy, was hit by the downpour on Saturday evening. One woman died in a auto park in Cannes and there was another victim at a campsite in Antibes. Towns such as Cannes Antibes and Nice have all be affected.
In Antibes, campsites along the Brague River were suddenly inundated with muddy water. There are also reports of long delays for taxis and buses trying to get to and from Cannes to Nice Airport, while Cannes railway station was reported to be underwater this morning. The flooded streets stranded scores of vehicles and downed numerous trees.
The more rugged and mountainous regions inland from the Mediterranean are not unaccustomed to episodes of flash-flooding but the latest one struck closer to the coastline itself and stood out by historic comparisons due to the hefty death toll.
Speaking about the flash floods, Cannes resident Katya Higham-Stoianova said, “It was terrifying”.
According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Robert Richards, “Heavy showers and thunderstorms went through Nice yesterday and totaled anywhere between 2 and 4 inches in a short amount of time”.
“Police intervened very quickly to stop these despicable acts”, he said.
The Daily Mail says rivers of water “gushed through a few of the world’s wealthiest streets” carrying cars along for hundreds of metres and destroying homes and businesses.
‘We have rescued a lot of people, and we must now be vigilant against looting, ‘ he added.
Helicopters were searching for victims Sunday and 27,000 homes had no electricity, the ministry said. Fifteen schools, a college and a high school remain closed. Trains are not working. She was apparently hit by water debris hurling towards her at great speed.
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Speaking on a visit to Japan, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Hollande and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve were en route to the disaster zone. He has thanked rescuers and offered condolences. Francois Hollande met with emergency service workers to discuss the disaster.
