2010 Var floods
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Var floods were the result of heavy rainfall in southern France
that caused severe flood
s in the department of the Var in the evening of 15 June 2010. As well as generalized flooding, there were also flash flood
s. Meteorologists say the floods are the worst in the region since 1827, with more than 400 mm (15.7 in) of rain falling in less than 24 hours. At least 25 people have been killed, and 14 people are still missing. The worst hit municipalities
were Les Arcs
, Figanières
, Roquebrune-sur-Argens
, Trans-en-Provence
, and the subprefecture of Draguignan
.
, Grasse
, Metz
, Marseille
and Nice
. Helicopter
s were used to evacuate people from the rooftops of their houses. In Frejus, over 1,500 people were rescued by the use of inflatable boats or helicopters. Many tourists were trapped in campsites along the Argens
river. People were urged to drink bottled water as it was feared that water supplies in the area were contaminated by the floodwater.
Prime Minister
François Fillon
announced on 18 June that a declaration of natural catastrophe would be issued "as soon as possible": it will concern the cantons
of Besse-sur-Issole
, Callas
, Cotignac
, Draguignan
, Fayence
, Fréjus
, Lorgues
, Le Luc
and Le Muy
.
Brice Hortefeux
stated that he expected the death toll to rise further. President Nicolas Sarkozy
expressed his condolences to the victims' families and his support for the rescue teams. He stated that he planned to visit the area on 2010.
The French Red Cross
launched an appeal, stating that the appeal was strictly for cash donations and not for clothing or furniture.
, three at La Motte
, two in Roquebrune-sur-Argens
and Saint-Aygulf (in the commune of Fréjus
) and one each in Fréjus town, the Lac de Saint-Cassien
and at Le Luc
. As of 2010, 14 people were listed as missing.
The floods also killed about 3000 sheep and about 100 horses, leading to problems in disposing of the carcasses, many of which had been swept into a wooded area and were trapped in trees.
travelling between Nice and Lille was stranded by the floodwaters near Le Luc. There were over 300 people on board. The railway between Toulon
and Fréjus was closed. Services were reinstated between Toulon and Les Arcs and also between Nice and Saint-Raphaël
on 2010. A bus service replaced trains between Les Arcs and Saint-Raphaël. Air travel in the region was also disrupted. Toulon-Hyères Airport closed in the evening of 2010, and reopened the following morning.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
that caused severe flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s in the department of the Var in the evening of 15 June 2010. As well as generalized flooding, there were also flash flood
Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields...
s. Meteorologists say the floods are the worst in the region since 1827, with more than 400 mm (15.7 in) of rain falling in less than 24 hours. At least 25 people have been killed, and 14 people are still missing. The worst hit municipalities
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
were Les Arcs
Les Arcs, Var
Les Arcs is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...
, Figanières
Figanières
Figanières is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...
, Roquebrune-sur-Argens
Roquebrune-sur-Argens
Roquebrune-sur-Argens is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It lies not far from the cities of Draguignan and Fréjus. It consists of three smaller villages: the village of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, La Bouverie and Les Issambres...
, Trans-en-Provence
Trans-en-Provence
Trans-en-Provence is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Air well:-References:*...
, and the subprefecture of Draguignan
Draguignan
Draguignan is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in southeastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department and self-proclaimed "capital of Artillery" and "Porte du Verdon".The city is only from St...
.
Damage
Over 1,000 people were evacuated from their houses, and 175,000 houses were left without electricity. In Draguignan, 236 inmates had to be evacuated when two floors of the prison were flooded. All 440 inmates from the prison were later transferred to other prisons in CannesCannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
, Grasse
Grasse
-See also:*Route Napoléon*Ancient Diocese of Grasse*Communes of the Alpes-Maritimes department-External links:*...
, Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
, Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
and Nice
Nice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
. Helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s were used to evacuate people from the rooftops of their houses. In Frejus, over 1,500 people were rescued by the use of inflatable boats or helicopters. Many tourists were trapped in campsites along the Argens
Argens
The Argens is a 116 km long river of the French Riviera. Its basin is fully included in the Var department.The river goes through Vidauban, Le Muy, Roquebrune-sur-Argens, Fréjus, then it flows into the Mediterranean sea, near Fréjus....
river. People were urged to drink bottled water as it was feared that water supplies in the area were contaminated by the floodwater.
Prime Minister
Prime Minister of France
The Prime Minister of France in the Fifth Republic is the head of government and of the Council of Ministers of France. The head of state is the President of the French Republic...
François Fillon
François Fillon
François Charles Armand Fillon is the Prime Minister of France. He was appointed to that office by President Nicolas Sarkozy on 17 May 2007. He served initially until 13 November 2010 when he resigned from being prime minister before a planned cabinet reshuffle.On 14 November 2010, Sarkozy...
announced on 18 June that a declaration of natural catastrophe would be issued "as soon as possible": it will concern the cantons
Cantons of France
The cantons of France are territorial subdivisions of the French Republic's 342 arrondissements and 101 departments.Apart from their role as organizational units in certain aspects of the administration of public services and justice, the chief purpose of the cantons today is to serve as...
of Besse-sur-Issole
Besse-sur-Issole
Besse-sur-Issole is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...
, Callas
Callas, Var
Callas is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.On a hill top very close to some of France's best wine growers' vineyards this ancient town looms over the valley below. It's a 45 minute drive from more famous coastal resort towns such as...
, Cotignac
Cotignac
Cotignac is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France....
, Draguignan
Draguignan
Draguignan is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in southeastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department and self-proclaimed "capital of Artillery" and "Porte du Verdon".The city is only from St...
, Fayence
Fayence
Fayence is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Fayence is one of a series of "perched villages" overlooking the plain between the southern Alps and the Esterel massif, which borders the sea between Cannes and Saint-Raphaël. Fayence is a...
, Fréjus
Fréjus
Fréjus is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It neighbours Saint-Raphaël, effectively forming one town...
, Lorgues
Lorgues
Lorgues is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Lorgues is located in the middle of wineries and fields of olive trees...
, Le Luc
Le Luc
Le Luc is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Le Luc is the capital of its own canton Canton of Luc.Residents of Luc are called the Lucois....
and Le Muy
Le Muy
Le Muy is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It was one of the first places to be liberated in the Allied invasion of Southern France in August 1944.It lies near Draguignan and Saint-Tropez....
.
Reactions
Interior MinisterMinister of the Interior (France)
The Minister of the Interior in France is one of the most important governmental cabinet positions, responsible for the following:* The general interior security of the country, with respect to criminal acts or natural catastrophes...
Brice Hortefeux
Brice Hortefeux
Brice Hortefeux is a French politician he was Minister of the Interior, Overseas Territories and Territorial collectivities...
stated that he expected the death toll to rise further. President Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
expressed his condolences to the victims' families and his support for the rescue teams. He stated that he planned to visit the area on 2010.
The French Red Cross
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
launched an appeal, stating that the appeal was strictly for cash donations and not for clothing or furniture.
Deaths
Eleven people were killed in Draguignan, five in Trans-en-ProvenceTrans-en-Provence
Trans-en-Provence is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-Air well:-References:*...
, three at La Motte
La Motte, Var
La Motte is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...
, two in Roquebrune-sur-Argens
Roquebrune-sur-Argens
Roquebrune-sur-Argens is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It lies not far from the cities of Draguignan and Fréjus. It consists of three smaller villages: the village of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, La Bouverie and Les Issambres...
and Saint-Aygulf (in the commune of Fréjus
Fréjus
Fréjus is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It neighbours Saint-Raphaël, effectively forming one town...
) and one each in Fréjus town, the Lac de Saint-Cassien
Lac de Saint-Cassien
Lac de Saint-Cassien is a lake in Var, France. At an elevation of 147 m, its surface area is 3.7 km²....
and at Le Luc
Le Luc
Le Luc is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Le Luc is the capital of its own canton Canton of Luc.Residents of Luc are called the Lucois....
. As of 2010, 14 people were listed as missing.
The floods also killed about 3000 sheep and about 100 horses, leading to problems in disposing of the carcasses, many of which had been swept into a wooded area and were trapped in trees.
Transport disruption
A High Speed TrainTGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
travelling between Nice and Lille was stranded by the floodwaters near Le Luc. There were over 300 people on board. The railway between Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
and Fréjus was closed. Services were reinstated between Toulon and Les Arcs and also between Nice and Saint-Raphaël
Saint-Raphaël, Var
Saint-Raphaël is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Immediately to the west of Saint-Raphaël lies another, older, town called Fréjus, and together they form an urban agglomeration known as Fréjus Saint-Raphaël...
on 2010. A bus service replaced trains between Les Arcs and Saint-Raphaël. Air travel in the region was also disrupted. Toulon-Hyères Airport closed in the evening of 2010, and reopened the following morning.
See also
- Lynmouth disaster (1952)
- Boscastle flood (2004)Boscastle flood of 2004The Boscastle flood of 2004 occurred on Monday, 16 August 2004 in the two villages of Boscastle and Crackington Haven in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The villages suffered extensive damage after flash floods caused by an exceptional amount of rain that fell over eight hours that afternoon...
- Central European floods (2010)2010 Central European floodsThe 2010 Central European floods were a devastating series of weather events which occurred across several Central European countries during May, June and August 2010. Poland was the worst affected. Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia and Ukraine were also affected.At least...
- 2010 Nigerien floods
- 2010 Milwaukee flood2010 Milwaukee floodThere were two episodes of flash flooding in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area in a one-week period in July 2010.The first incident occurred in the night on July 15 to July 16. This incident caused basement flooding and some street flooding....
- Global storm activity of mid 2010Global storm activity of mid 2010The global storm activity of mid 2010 includes major meteorological events in the Earth's atmosphere from the first day of May to the last day of September winter storms , hailstorms, out of season monsoon rain storms, extratropical cyclones, gales, microbursts, flooding, rainstorms and other...
- The European winter cold snap of 2010-2011
- Carmen (storm)Carmen (storm)Carmen was an extremely powerful extratropical cyclone and European windstorm which caused widespread damage in the American state of Maine, then crossed the Atlantic Ocean and affected the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands....
- British Winter of 2010
- 2010 Albania floods2010 Albania floodsThe 2010 Albania Floods refer to several periods of major flooding, notably January, 2010 and December, 2010. Many northern regions around Shkodra, Lezhe and Durres are currently submerged and aid efforts are ongoing.-January 2010:...