Nearly 3 months' worth of rain in parts of Europe causes deadly flooding
By
Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Oct 23, 2019 11:58 AM EDT
Nearly three months' worth of rain fell in some parts of southeast Spain and southern France early this week as a strong storm system pummeled the region.
Many locations from Peniscola, Spain to Montpellier, France, received 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) of rain, with the hardest-hit locations picking up 150-250 mm (6-10 inches). Much of this rain fell in a single day.
Beziers-Vias, France, was one of the hardest-hit locations with 242 mm (9.53 inches) falling within a 24-hour period. The normal rainfall for the entire month of October is 86.1 mm (3.39 inches).
The extreme amounts of rain quickly led to flooding across the region. In addition to the flooding in Beziers, it was reported by Franceinfo that several roads in the Pyrénées-Orientales were cut off by flooding on Tuesday night.
The flooding turned deadly in Spain and Italy, according to the BBC. Two people reportedly died as a result of flash flooding in northern Italy, while in Spain, the body of a 70-year-old man was recovered on a beach in Arenys de Munt. The man had been trying to move his car.
The flooding also washed away a bungelow that housed a 70-year-old woman and her 40-year-old son in Vilaverd, located near the River Francolí, according to the BBC. Both are considered missing, along with two others.
The heaviest rain has ended across southeast Spain and southwest France, though this rain will shift into northwest Italy on Thursday.
Marseille, Cannes, Nice and Genoa are all cities that may have a burst of flooding rainfall that can lead to flash flooding.
Rain across these areas is not expected to be as extreme compared to what fell across portions of Spain and France early this week. However, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards warns that, "After all the rain the region has already received, flooding will certainly be a concern with this next storm."
Edwards expects that 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) of rain will fall in many locations, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 100 mm (4 inches) in the hardest-hit areas.
Never drive through floodwaters. Turn around and find an alternate route.
Much of southeast France and northwest Italy have been very wet so far in October.
Genoa, Italy, has already received 331 mm (13.03 inches) of rain this month, which is nearly double the normal October rainfall. Much of this rain has fallen during the last 10 days.
Drier conditions will return to southeast Spain and much of southern France on Thursday. High pressure will provide dry weather across much of the western Mediterranean through the weekend, giving floodwaters a chance to recede.
Report a Typo
News / Weather News
Nearly 3 months' worth of rain in parts of Europe causes deadly flooding
By Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Oct 23, 2019 11:58 AM EDT
Nearly three months' worth of rain fell in some parts of southeast Spain and southern France early this week as a strong storm system pummeled the region.
Many locations from Peniscola, Spain to Montpellier, France, received 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) of rain, with the hardest-hit locations picking up 150-250 mm (6-10 inches). Much of this rain fell in a single day.
Beziers-Vias, France, was one of the hardest-hit locations with 242 mm (9.53 inches) falling within a 24-hour period. The normal rainfall for the entire month of October is 86.1 mm (3.39 inches).
The extreme amounts of rain quickly led to flooding across the region. In addition to the flooding in Beziers, it was reported by Franceinfo that several roads in the Pyrénées-Orientales were cut off by flooding on Tuesday night.
The flooding turned deadly in Spain and Italy, according to the BBC. Two people reportedly died as a result of flash flooding in northern Italy, while in Spain, the body of a 70-year-old man was recovered on a beach in Arenys de Munt. The man had been trying to move his car.
The flooding also washed away a bungelow that housed a 70-year-old woman and her 40-year-old son in Vilaverd, located near the River Francolí, according to the BBC. Both are considered missing, along with two others.
The heaviest rain has ended across southeast Spain and southwest France, though this rain will shift into northwest Italy on Thursday.
Marseille, Cannes, Nice and Genoa are all cities that may have a burst of flooding rainfall that can lead to flash flooding.
Rain across these areas is not expected to be as extreme compared to what fell across portions of Spain and France early this week. However, AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards warns that, "After all the rain the region has already received, flooding will certainly be a concern with this next storm."
Edwards expects that 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) of rain will fall in many locations, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 100 mm (4 inches) in the hardest-hit areas.
Never drive through floodwaters. Turn around and find an alternate route.
Much of southeast France and northwest Italy have been very wet so far in October.
Related:
Genoa, Italy, has already received 331 mm (13.03 inches) of rain this month, which is nearly double the normal October rainfall. Much of this rain has fallen during the last 10 days.
Drier conditions will return to southeast Spain and much of southern France on Thursday. High pressure will provide dry weather across much of the western Mediterranean through the weekend, giving floodwaters a chance to recede.
Report a Typo