Torrential rain caused “extraordinary flooding” near the French city of Montpellier, local authorities said Wednesday.
Flood waters appear to be receding, but weather warnings will remain in place until December 24.
No casualties have been reported yet.
What we know about flooding in southern France
About 1,000 homes were without power on Monday evening in the Hérault department on the south coast, including 520 in Montpellier, where parks, gardens, cemeteries, the local zoo and Christmas markets remained closed.
Public transport routes were also partially closed, and Hérault’s prefect Chantal Mouchet said it remained difficult to get around in the region.
The highest water level in the region was recorded south of Montpellier in the coastal city of Agde, where the Hérault River reached more than 11 feet, causing what forecasters said was the worst flooding in the region since November 1994.
Local residents posted footage of flooded promenades along the river – but no major damage or human casualties were reported.
French flood warning service Visicruz reported “exceptional flooding” and issued a red flood warning for the Hérault department – as well as an orange warning for the surrounding departments of Aveyron, Lozère and Tarn.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar