Flash floods hit France and Italy

As Storm Alex hit the Mediterranean, it caused flash floods in southern France and north-western Italy; leaving destruction in its wake.

Seven people were tragically killed and many houses in mountainous villages have been destroyed as a result of heavy rain in southern Europe. Most of the damage has occurred along the France/Italy border with over 500 people having to be evacuated from the town of Alpes-Maritimes.

Landslides have also occurred in the region due to saturation of soils on mountain sides. Many have lost their houses and whole villages have been covered by mud; leaving people stranded in the area with no support.

Along the coastlines, many tourist resorts have been left with debris strewn across beaches. The emotional and economic cost of this disaster is going to be a long-term process with France's President Macron naming the region as a "natural disaster zone".

For more on this story and updates as the potential for more heavy rain is likely - check out the following article:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/wor...