After a night of torrential rains, Var was hit by a new Cevenol episode that left entire neighborhoods underwater. In the town of Vidauban, the situation is particularly alarming: a house, swept away by the deluge, found itself with the equivalent of 18 swimming pools to evacuate. The firefighters, mobilized tirelessly, are working to pump the stagnant waters, while the stunned residents are realizing the extent of the damage caused by this natural disaster. In the face of the emergency, the water struggles to drain, fueling the concerns of a population already worn down by extreme weather conditions.
The devastation of torrential rains
During the night from Thursday to Friday, a new Cevenol episode plunged the Var department into memorable chaos. Over 100 millimeters of rain fell on certain localities in less than an hour, transforming the streets into rivers and causing catastrophic flooding. In Vidauban, a house literally found itself with the equivalent of 18 swimming pools of stagnant water inside, while the firefighters struggled to evacuate this unprecedented deluge.
An extraordinary meteorological phenomenon
The Var, accustomed to the whims of the weather, was struck by a rainy episode of a rarely observed intensity. The amounts of water that fell broke records and caught residents by surprise, trapping them by the sudden rise of the waters. According to Lieutenant Stéphane Ménager from the fire and rescue center of Luc-en-Provence, firefighters were engaged in drying out homes, a titanic task comparable to emptying 18 swimming pools in a single building.
The desolation of residents
The testimonies of the victims speak of immense desolation. Sinan Inalkac, a resident of the affected neighborhood, saw his car swept away by the currents and his house flooded in just an hour. “It hurts the heart. It can easily reach 150,000 euros,” he declares, lamenting the considerable losses in furniture and equipment. The pain of a life painstakingly built being swept away by natural elements is felt in every word spoken.
The infrastructure put to the test
Beyond the houses, it is also the infrastructures that are being severely tested. In Roquebrune-sur-Argens, a lake overflowed, flooding establishments such as restaurants, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Local officials are concerned about the new rains forecasted, which could worsen an already precarious situation, increasing the risk of blockages and additional damage.
A rapid response, but insufficient
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate the affected areas and to prevent the situation from worsening. However, the volumes of water to be managed and the speed with which the floods occurred significantly complicate their efforts. Residents, still on alert, fear a new deluge and question the sturdiness of their homes in the face of these extreme events.
Continuous vigilance in the region
In light of these devastating floods, an orange vigilance is still maintained in the Var. Residents remain wary and question the preventive measures in place. This disaster serves as a reminder to everyone of the crucial importance of preparing for such climatic events, which seem to multiply across the country, as well as on a global scale.
- Event: Devastating floods in Var
- Consequence: 18 swimming pools of water in a single house
- Duration of rain: More than 100 mm in 30 minutes
- Impact on residents: Considerable material damage
- Urgency: Firefighters’ intervention to evacuate water
- Concerns: Risk of new torrential rains
- Testimony: Damage estimated up to 150,000 euros
