Fatal flooding and emergency shelter
Storm Adam brought the heavy rain behind the flooding, BBC News reported. Rainfall began on October 19, 2026, and triggered widespread flooding across southeastern France.
Two of those killed were women, ages 86 and 26, found drowned in a cellar in Bouches-du-Rhône, according to the BBC. In Corsica, floodwaters swept away a 4x4 on Tuesday. The BBC, citing local media, reported that one occupant escaped through a window, while another man was found dead.
Officials said dozens of people took refuge in emergency shelters in Mouries and Saint-Martin-de-Crau, two small towns between Montpellier and Marseille. At least one person was injured. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on X that the flooding had disrupted local roads and rail lines.
Jacques Witkowski, prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône, described the scale of the flooding in a Wednesday statement. "The water has risen to unprecedented levels," he said, according to the BBC, adding that authorities were "mobilised at an exceptional level".
Storm Adam's earlier toll in Spain
Before the flooding in France, Storm Adam had caused severe floods in eastern Spain, killing at least three people, the BBC reported. Floodwaters isolated several towns along the Mediterranean coast, and helicopters rescued people stranded on rooftops.
The Valencian government approved €23.5 million in aid for those affected, according to the BBC.
Wind warnings for the northwest
Forecasters expected conditions in southern France to settle down, but Météo-France warned that Storm Austen would bring strong winds to the northwest from late Thursday into Friday. Named by the UK's meteorological service, Austen was described by Météo-France as the first storm of autumn to hit France.
The forecast called for inland gusts of 100-110 km/h, reaching 120 km/h in some locations, and coastal gusts of up to 130-140 km/h. The strongest winds were expected along the Brittany and Normandy coasts before shifting toward Hauts-de-France and Île-de-France on Friday.
According to the BBC, Météo-France placed five western departments under an orange-level wind warning from Thursday evening into Friday: Côtes-d'Armor, Finistère, Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine and Manche.
